TEACH MORE PATRIOTISM

AUSTRALIA’S education minister wants students to learn about Australia’s “great successes” and leave school with a “patriotic view” of the country’s history, as contention over the draft national curriculum heats up.

Alan Tudge said he did not want students graduating with a “hatred” of Australia, because then they are “not going to protect it, as a million Australians have through their military service”.

“My concern is that the history curriculum, particularly years 7 to 10, paints an overly negative view of Australia,” Mr Tudge said.

“We’ve got a lot to be proud of, and we should be teaching the great things as much as we should our weaknesses, flaws and historical wrongs.

“We want to make sure people come out (of school) with a love of our country, rather than a hate for it.”