Education programs across Australia |
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South Australia
Training and development
Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum (APAC)
Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum (APAC) is a package for use in
classrooms. Through the teaching of Aboriginal perspectives students can develop
a better understanding of Aboriginal cultures and in so doing overcome many
present day misunderstandings and prejudices.
Aboriginal perspectives are the inclusion of Aboriginal viewpoints and
information into mainstream teaching in all areas of learning. Teaching
Aboriginal perspectives involves assisting students to look at the world from an
Aboriginal point of view on a range of issues. The package emphasises cultural
aspects that influence the formation of different viewpoints and encourages the
recognition of Aboriginal cultures in the curriculum and as entities in
themselves.
This training package serves as a guide for teachers as they begin to
incorporate Aboriginal perspectives into the curriculum. It has been designed to
support teachers, working either individually or collectively across curriculum
areas.
Anti-Racism Training
To ensure that all Departmental employees understand their rights,
responsibilities and legal obligations with regard to anti-racism and sexual
harassment policies. The training aims to enable line managers and employees
to:
- show a sound knowledge of their rights, responsibilities and legal
obligations
- implement the relevant policies in their daily work
- access relevant grievance procedures.
Equal Opportunity Training
The Equal Opportunity Commission's Training, Education and Consultancy
Services focus on increasing participants' understanding of equal opportunity
and anti-discrimination legislation and their rights and responsibilities under
the legislation. Skills based training including resolving grievances and
mediation skills and wider community education programs address current
community issues such as racism in sport. A recent 'mock conciliation
conference' about the Commission's complaint handling system was conducted as
part of Law Week. Participants were able to observe and comment upon an
alternative dispute resolution used by the Commission.
The Commission also provides a range of information services, publications
and factsheets on equal opportunity legislation as well as a website. (Address:
http://www.eoc.sa.gov.au ).
In response to the Equal Opportunity Act (SA 1984) and as an equal
opportunity employer the Department of Education, Training and Employment has
mandated training for all employees in sexual and racial harassment and
discrimination policies and grievance procedures. Under the Government
Management and Employment Act, employees can undertake training in the
principles of personnel management and in particular merit selection procedures,
principles and practices.
Multicultural Education Committee (MEC) Implementing Multicultural Perspectives across the SACSA Framework
This program consists of two major seminars and workshops per year to provide
further skills and information to develop and implement a range of curriculum
initiatives for countering racism. The program is provided to both government
and non-government schools.
South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Professional Development
This professional development program focuses on human rights, countering racism and incorporating multicultural perspectives across all learning areas.
Teaching Aboriginal Children and Students (TACS)
Teaching Aboriginal Children and Students (TACS) is a professional course for
educators. The course was developed in South Australia in 1992-93. Since that
time, it has been implemented in a range of educational settings involving
teachers and Aboriginal Education workers in early childhood, primary and
secondary settings. TACS consists of seven workshops which may be taken
individually.
Participants commit thirty hours, including workshop activities, to this
course. The course addresses the particular issues which frequently affect the
learning of Aboriginal children and students. Whilst avoiding stereotyping, the
course encourages educators to examine a variety of teaching and learning
strategies which enhance classroom management, particularly when Aboriginal
students are class members. Teachers are encouraged to analyse their own
teaching behaviour and to acknowledge the cultural constructs underlying that
behaviour.
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