ISA has prepared this submission for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education’s Inquiry into the Development of Asia capability in Australia.
In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, Australia’s future prosperity and security depends on the depth of our engagement within our geographic region as well as maintaining strategic relationships worldwide. Committing to build Asia capability has never been more important to ensure Australia remains a trusted strategic and economic partner in our geographic region.
It is clear from reading the transcript of The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education hearing from the Department of Education on Wednesday 29 October 20252 that the lack of a national strategy and the lack of data to inform such a strategy are clearly understood and articulated as barriers to building Asia capability across education sectors and jurisdictions.
However, if we can learn from past initiatives and utilise new technologies and research, it should be possible, with commitment of support from all levels of government, to develop and sustain a national strategy for increasing uptake of Asian language learning in education and community settings and developing Asia capability in formal and informal education and career paths.
As the national peak body representing Independent schools, Independent Schools Australia (ISA) strongly support the development of Asia capability across the education sector.
Independent schools are well positioned to lead innovation in language learning and cultural studies. Many schools have a long history of engaging with our region across diverse programs, and expertise in teaching Asian languages and embedding Intercultural understanding (a general capability in the F-10 Australian Curriculum) across programs as a strong foundation for developing trust, empathy and cross-cultural skills and knowledge.
It is important that any strategies to develop and sustain Asia capability invest in the necessary partnerships and pathways between school to tertiary institutions to support continuity of Asia literacy and language learning in educational settings.