As an educator, I was perturbed by many aspects of the report. For example, I question the the behaviour and judgement of the principal of Xavier, the secondary school, by her public pointing to individual students in class let alone on national television. Who would be surprised that many did not return to the school next day or ever again. These young women were publicly humiliated by someone who is meant to be building their confidence in participation in education. What sort of colleague publicly blames the primary school for perceived lack of literacy in English and there is not view from that perspective? I was equally concerned by the attitude and behaviour of the staff member from the Tiwi College in charge of the boarding house.

Semanti’s article redresses the lack of balance in the Four Corners program. From my work I can verify that the primary students are achieving better results in literacy than many other very remote communities. These children are becoming literate in Tiwi and in English.

Sure schools can do better but why always see Indigenous children from a deficit view. These children have rich linguistic assets that most Australian parents aspire for their children.