“Unfortunately, some teachers are not subtle in expressing their Left-wing bias, being quite militant in the expression of their views and intolerant of dissent… evidence of blatant bias is far from rare in the school system.”
A 'militant' left-wing teacher?
This is an extract from Dr Mark Lopez’s article that was published in The Australian. It is a vehement evaluation of the so-called left-wing political bias of teachers in the Australian education system. As a humanities tutor himself, it is easy to see his political bias. However, it is hard to believe that his students would not be exposed to his less-than-subtle right-wing stance. His argument stipulates that the teachers of the children of the future are liberal fanatics and that any student who possesses an opposing conservative view does not stand a chance at achieving academically.
A Federal inquiry into academic freedom is underway, and according to The Age, Dr Lopez is not alone in his political bias beliefs regarding the education system. In 2006, acting Education Minister Julie Bishop apparently identified “left-wing ideologues…straight from Chairman Mao”. And in his submission to the inquiry, Kevin Donnelly – a conservative education consultant – suggests that students leave school “culturally illiterate and ethically challenged”, all thanks to pesky liberal repression.
Dr Lopez has some suggestions to fix this issue of bias. One of which is to cut the VCE text list from 30 to 20, with 10 texts to be selected by the ‘left’, and 10 by the ‘non-left’. What a great idea. Let us reduce the range of literature, and let us hamper diversity. And better yet, why don’t we declare the remaining texts ‘left’ or ‘right’. After all, things really are black and white aren’t they? There is no grey space, no room for students to have convictions on both sides of the political spectrum. And of course, all literature has an identifiable political agenda, doesn’t it?
Students everywhere, prepare to be brainwashed by your left-wing extremist teachers and subversive literature.
Sure, teachers will most probably have their own political beliefs. But, I find it hard to believe that any educator who truly understands ‘education’ will unwittingly crucify a student who expresses an opinion that differs to their own beliefs. In fact, in my own experience, all of my teachers have encouraged free thought and expression, with one rule only: back up your argument. Unfortunately for Dr Lopez can’t seem to do this.
If the political bias truly does exist in the education system, then I doubt it is anywhere near the level that Dr Lopez will have us believe. However, I suspect that he may be a tutor to avoid if political bias is not your major. Especially if this is one of his convictions:
“Like the characters Winston Smith and Julia in George Orwell’s classic anti-totalitarian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, students with non-Left views need to learn to outwardly conform to inwardly remain free.”
Hm, okay, does this mean you’ve already claimed this text then Mark?
August 23, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
The premise upon which the public education system in Australia was built upon was that is should be, ‘free, secular and compulsory’. Currently we are seeing more and more public schools in Australia being shut down because of lack of funding. Interestingly as these schools are being shut down small and religiously affiliated schools are popping up in their place which have secured government funding. Now let’s talk about agenda pushing! I find Lopez’s argument lacking substance. Surely the appalling state of Australia’s school system is a result of right wing politics? The individual over the collective! Something is amiss!
August 24, 2008 at 6:27 am |
It is a strange day in Australian society when the ‘lefties’ are labelled as the ones that are pushing their agenda and wielding their influence at will. The last time I checked Australia was dominated by right wing politics. Seriously, schools these days need more than ever the influence of the left. ‘non-left students must remeber to conform on the outside but to remain free on the inside’ Crass remark indeed! I wonder what texts could balance the influence of the left out? Hitler’s diaries?
September 10, 2008 at 12:20 pm |
As a teacher myself, I spare no opportunity in pushing my radical left-wing agenda – even though I only teach computer programming!
The problem with the Lopezes of this world is that they see so little of anything remotely left-wing in the public arena that they see the standard right-wing rhetoric pushed by the mainstream media as ‘normal’ – the natural order of things. Anything opposing this is, in their opinion, is biased. Of course the truth is that we are all biased. Lopez would have us believe that his biases are OK but those opposing his view are ‘radical’.
Ah, if only the students of Australia were more exposed to those wonderfully open-minded conservative commentators…