Becoming Australian: a review of southern Sudanese students’ educational experiences

ABSTRACT

This research presents a review of the literature around meeting students’ learning needs in Australian schools. It is referenced to one group of students with refugee experience who have been in Australian schools for over 15 years; students with a background of oracy from Southern Sudan. The development of psychological health and literacy competencies are two of the most critical and complex responsibilities undertaken by education, and, in the case of these students two of the most significant when considered in relation to successful settlement, acculturation and assimilation. In presenting this literature, the bigger picture of how schools can fail, not only these students, but for any number of students from diverse backgrounds, becomes startlingly obvious, as do the ways in which the current political agenda inherent in the public education system in Australia privileges students of specific class and culture. Finally, recommendations are made regarding the development of policy and the concentration on pedagogical practices which acknowledge and respect the strengths and capabilities of this group of students.

KEYWORDS:

• Inclusive education
• politics of education
• race
• educational policy
• refugee experiences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Maura Sellars is a lecturer in Education at the University of Newcastle NSW. She has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and pedagogical leader. She has a particular interest in inclusive classroom practices, working with students' strengths and developing the students' cognitive capacities of executive function within diverse social and cultural communities.

Helen Murphy is a Social Psychologist in the School of Psychology at the University of East London. Helen's research interests concentrate on the psychological health and well-being of individuals, groups and populations. Helen has recently conducted research on mental health service delivery.

Notes

1. IDPs become displaced in their own countries usually as a result of natural disasters, armed conflict or human rights violations. IDPs remain under the legal protection of their own government (see http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c146.html)

2. Refugees leave their home country as a result of fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group (see http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html)

3. Individuals who have fled their countries usually as a result of fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group and seek asylum elsewhere (see http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c137.html)