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Northern Territory Mandates Students Stand and Sing Both Verses of Anthem

The policy is billed as restoring national pride in classrooms.

Overview

  • All 152 NT public schools must play and sing both verses of Advance Australia Fair in English during assemblies and special events, with students expected to stand.
  • The directive begins on the first day of Term 1 on Wednesday after being announced the day after Australia Day.
  • A curriculum update requires teaching national symbols through the civics and citizenship learning area.
  • Objections from students or parents are to be referred to school principals, while decisions on Welcome to Country remain with individual schools.
  • Federal Education Minister Jason Clare supported the move, noting many schools already sing the anthem, in a system where about 43% of public students are Indigenous.