Reflections on Education in Torres Strait: Zuni Insights
Abstract
Education in Torres Strait is at a crossroad. On the one hand changes are about to occur to its organisation. On the other hand crucial inroads are being made into community life by that process of education.
I have lived in Torres Strait. I know some of the fears, hopes and disillusionment of many Torres Strait Islanders. I want to share some of my insights into your situation. When I left Thursday Island in 1972, it was with sadness and with a determination to find out how to better teach the young people of the Torres Strait. I would like to share one set of my findings with you. In particular, I would like to share the experiences of a small American Indian community with you. In many ways their story is like yours. Some of their lessons may help you in these days of rapid changes.
References
Highwater J., 1982: The Primal Mind: Vision and Reality in Indian America. New York, Meridian.
Kleinfeld J.S., 1975 : Effective teachers of Eskimo and Indian students . School Review, 83, pp. 301– 344.
Osborne A.B., 1983 : An ethnographic study of five elementary classrooms at Zuni: “Are we doing what we think we are?”. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation.) Albuquerque: University of New Mexico.
