Generation of dissidents

Kids back protests but can’t grasp democracy

AUSTRALIA’S young leaders of tomorrow have declared joining peaceful protests a key to good citizenship, but their understanding of our democracy and national values is lacking.

The latest Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority report on civics and citizenship revealed the performance of Year 6 and Year 10 students had plateaued when it came to understanding both subjects.

Some 38 per cent of 2019’s Year 10s reached the proficient standard and 53 per cent of Year 6 pupils did so.

Year 10 students’ results were on par with the 2004, 2007 and 2016 findings, but well down on 2013 and 2010.

Grade 6 results were consistent with previous years.

Undertaken every three years in a sample of schools, the program tests students’ understanding of Australian democracy and system of government, the rights and legal obligations of citizens and the social values that underpin Australian society. At the same time, it surveys students’ attitudes and engagement with civics and citizenship.

The survey revealed that Year 6 and Year 10 pupils saw pollution as the biggest problem affecting Australia in 2019, closely followed by climate change and water shortages.

There was an increase in the proportion of students at both year levels who said that joining a peaceful protest was an attribute of good citizenship.

ACARA chief executive officer David de Carvalho said the proficient standard was set at a “challenging but reasonable” level of achievement, linked to the expectations in the school curriculum.

“The report reveals important insights into students’ understanding and appreciation of democracy, civic processes and institutions, and how they are perceived,” he said.

“It is disappointing that the results suggest our next generation isn’t demonstrating a sufficient level of understanding of the significance and history of our democracy and shared values.”

But it was positive to see students were engaging in their community, he said. Nearly two-thirds of Year 10s polled said they had collected money for a cause or charity.

“Year 6 and Year 10 female students continue to demonstrate higher levels of civic knowledge, and the vast majority of all students indicate increasingly positive attitudes towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Australian diversity,” he said.

Learning about Australia’s history was an important attribute to being a good citizen, 86 per cent of Year 6 students and 80 per cent of Year 10 students said.

Many Year 10 students believed that immigrants should be encouraged to keep their cultural beliefs, practices and languages, and that Australia benefited by having people from many cultures and backgrounds contributing to society.