Frustrated Sudanese turn to the streets

By Shaun Inguanzo
AN INABILITY to understand mainstream education is driving refugee children on to local streets, a Sudanese community leader says.
The Sudan Liaison Organisation (SLO) this week said a Federal Government review of settlement processes was needed to prevent young refugees from resorting to a life on local streets.
Yien Thiang Luony, administrative secretary of the SLO and cousin of 19-year-old Liep Gony, who was bashed and left to die in Noble Park last week, told Star that young refugees who came from countries with little or no education could not fit into Australia’s mainstream education system.
Mr Thiang Luony said poor grades at school caused young refugees to become frustrated.
He said there was no respite from the bad grades at home, where their parents expected the youngsters to perform well to fully embrace life in their new country.
Mr Thiang Luony said young refugees then turned to each other on the street because they had nowhere else to go.
He said younger refugees needed special schooling that not only taught English language, but also mathematics, science, Australian history and politics, and other subjects that would bridge educational and cultural divides and keep young refugees in the education system.
And he said young refugees able to work should be streamlined into skills-based learning because they were capable of “using their hands” better than understanding maths and science.
“The Federal Government seems to be not doing enough and is trying to blame youths for this conduct,” Mr Thiang Luony said.
“Yet (the government) is without an appropriate strategy to educate them.”
Mr Thiang Luony said Australia had a responsibility to provide such services given it was accepting refugees via a United Nations program.
“If you go to school only until grade three or four, and jump into years nine or 10 when you come to Australia then you can not understand what you have to do,” Mr Thiang Luony said.
“The curriculum is letting young people down.”
Liberal Party candidate for Isaacs Ross Fox said he would invite Sudanese community leaders to meet with Justice Minister David Johnston today (Thursday) to discuss settlement issues.
“I’m very interested to see all new arrivals from all backgrounds given every opportunity to be a strong part of the local community,” Mr Fox said.
“I am aware there are some (settlement) issues and the Federal Government has responded with some additional schooling resources (in this year’s Budget).
“But if there are further needs for the local community then I will be listening to those concerned.”