What is multicultural education?
Multicultural education supports a vision of NSW as a community which values and benefits from its cultural and linguistic diversity to fully realise its social, cultural and economic potential.
Cultural Diversity and Community Relations Policy
The Department's Cultural Diversity and Community Relations Policy: Multicultural education in schools outlines the responsibilities of schools to provide teaching and learning programs that enable students from all cultures and communities to identify as Australians within a democratic multicultural society and to develop the knowledge, skills and values for participation as active citizens.
Schools ensure inclusive teaching practices which recognise and value the backgrounds and cultures of all students and promote an open and tolerant attitude towards different cultures, religions and world views.
Principles of Multiculturalism
The Principles of Multiculturalism provide the framework within which multicultural education is implemented. The principles recognise and value the different linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds of the people of New South Wales. They promote the equal rights and responsibilities of all the people of the state within a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society in which diversity is regarded as a strength and an asset, individuals share a commitment to Australia, and English is the common language.
Cultural and linguistic diversity of NSW
The cultural and linguistic diversity of New South Wales is reflected in its schools, colleges and other education and training institutions. Students from language backgrounds other than English, both those born in Australia and overseas, comprise approximately one quarter of students enrolled in NSW government schools. These students speak over 80 different languages (LBOTE students 2004) and bring with them a range of cultural and religious traditions.
