Teaching staff at Lake Macquarie High School are under investigation by the NSW Department of Education after issuing an assessment that asked students to argue for the continuation of slavery.
The Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) assessment, as seen by NITV News, was issued to one Year 9 class in early March. It asked students to prepare a report as though they were an advisor to the President of the United States, on the continuation or the discontinuation of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
The assessment required students to write from an “empathic perspective” and include references to “conditions endured by slaves”, and “the positive contribution slaves make to the economies of Africa, England, and the United States”.
Contributing to 25 per cent of the student’s grade, the assessment’s “general success criteria” recommended students outline “advantages to each country through the trade of slaves” and the “conditions for slaves or recommendations for cost savings in the process” for higher marks.
The NSW Department of Education has referred the incident to the Professional and Ethical Standards Unit after becoming aware of an “allegation of insensitive content in a Year 9 History assessment task”.
The assessment task that was given to students by Lake Macquarie High School Source: Supplied
Calling it out
African woman Jagorda Manyuon, whose younger siblings received the assessment, said they were “offended and pissed” when they first received the task.
"I was absolutely appalled - it makes no sense as to why someone would write something like this,” she said.
Complaining to Lake Macquarie High School, Ms Manyuon claims she was told by the Principal they would speak with the teacher the following week and keep her updated.
She took it upon herself to make a Facebook post and claimed within two hours the Principal then called her mother.
Recalling the conversation, Ms Manyuon said the Principle apologised and requested she take down the Facebook post.
"I said no. I knew if I did that it would be swept under the rug. They wouldn't have dealt with it. It was about saving the school's reputation, not about being sorry.”
Lake Macquarie High School Principal Brendan Maher told NITV News that correspondence between school and individual families is "confidential" as are "personal staffing matters".
"The school has followed department processes to review and improve curriculum while supporting the wellbeing and privacy of staff and students," he said in a statement.
An Education Department Spokesperson told NITV News that the school is continuing to work with “students and parents who raised the issue”.
“The school has heard and noted all their input, notwithstanding that involvement of the Professional and Ethical Standards unit is subject to privacy considerations.”
They noted that the review was of the assessment only and is conducted internally.
Despite the incident being reviewed, Ms Manyuon says she has not had any further contact. Claiming the Department cancelled meetings with her and her family.
"I asked if it would be rescheduled and they said they didn't know any of that - they told me it may not even happen ... They're just hoping we forget about it or give up.”
Jagorda Manyuon sibling's who are in Year 9 at Lake Macquarie High School were given the assignment. Source: Supplied
Public response
A copy of the assessment task has been posted online by activist Maria Alier, who expressed her anger at the “blatant disrespect and insult”.
On her post, a comment by a user claiming to be the Lake Macquarie High School teacher who designed the assessment task defended the assessment.
“I am the only individual responsible for the task in question,” the Facebook comment read.
“It is from the Economic Minister because economic history is a large component of the syllabus and it is for economic advancement that these atrocities were perpetrated on fellow humans.
“Don’t think for one minute that I think slavery was a good thing in any way.”
The Teacher noted that his students know his thoughts on right and wrong.
“Although it is wrong, it was history, that’s how it happened – we need to learn from our mistakes."
Ms Alier noted that many African Americans still experience the “direct effects of slavery” and debating the suffering of those who have experienced it is “egregious”.
She noted that she wasn’t offended at the teaching of slavery but rather the ask of children to defend it.
"It encourages them to defend racist ideology and advocate from the standpoint of a person who was justified by that racist ideology," she said.
Screenshot of comment posted to Maria Alier's public Facebook post calling out the assessment. Source: Facebook
Beyond the review
As the investigation continues, the NSW Department of Education noted that the assessment is being reviewed and the school will “communicate changes to the students soon”.
The spokesperson assured that Lake Macquarie High School “does not tolerate discrimination in any form and acts immediately if an incident is raised”.
“The school prioritises the inclusivity and diversity of its school community.”
“Support and student counselling has been offered and will continue to be offered by the school to students who raised the matter and others who may have been affected.”
The spokesperson acknowledged the Department’s Anti-Racism Policy that has been active for 30-years.
“It promotes respect for people from all cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds and rejects all forms of racism in schools and department offices.”
Moving forward, Ms Manyuon hopes that an apology can be issued by staff members involved to students, and the public.
