Victoria’s Education Minister Ben Carroll apologises for ongoing racism in Victorian schools

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll says racist ideas “continue to permeate” schools across the state and Indigenous students battle “lower expectations of their educational aspirations and capability”.

Victorian schools have played a key role in reinforcing racism towards Indigenous Australians and spreading lies about colonisation, the state’s Education Minister has told a truth-telling commission.

Ben Carroll, also the state’s Deputy Premier, made the admission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission on Friday, where he said the state’s education system has contributed to “creating and reinforcing barriers for First Peoples children and young children”.

Mr Carroll also said that schools had an integral role in the state’s push to assimilate Aboriginal people into western society.

“Since colonisation, schools, and the education system as a whole, have played a significant part in reinforcing racist perceptions and stereotypes about First Peoples, while minimising (or eradicating) their perspectives in favour of false narratives about colonial history,” he said.

“This can be seen in the failure of the education system to acknowledge until recently First Peoples’ perspectives or their history prior to colonisation.

“These ideas have had far-reaching and damaging effects that continue to permeate society and government systems, including the school system.

“These effects can be seen in the racism that continues to be experienced by First Peoples students, including experiencing lower expectations of their educational aspirations and capability.”

Education Minister Ben Carroll at the Yoorrook Justice Commission on Friday.

Mr Carroll said it is evident that some teachers are anxious to teach their students about First Peoples histories, culture and perspectives because they are afraid to “get it wrong” or cause offence.

He said many teachers felt that current curriculum isn’t designed to appropriately embed First Peoples-related education.

“We also know that many teachers may not have received a strong education about First Peoples histories, cultures and perspectives in their own schooling or initial teacher education programs,” he added.

Mr Carroll said he’s “very committed” to employing more First Nation teachers in a bid to ensure Aboriginal students feel safer in the classroom.

“I’m certainly open to seeing what we can do … The profession is going through a challenging period at the moment,” he said.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is conducting public hearings into the injustices experienced by Aboriginal people. This month’s hearings are focused on health, education, housing and economic life.

In April this year, Premier Jacinta Allan was called before the Commission, which is the first Aboriginal-led inquiry that also has the powers of a Royal Commission.

Ms Allan pledged to deliver a formal apology to First Peoples across the state, declaring that government policy has driven a gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Victorians.

“Whether ignorance or deliberate intent, we have driven that disparity … that disparity continues to play out in the lives and life outcomes for Aboriginal people,” she said at the time.