Singing national anthem mandated in NT schools

It has been decreed by the government of a territory that public school students must sing the national anthem at all assemblies and special events in order to instill pride in Australia.

The Education Minister of the Northern Territory, Jo Hersey, announced the policy on Tuesday, stating that it is essential for students to understand what it means to be Australian and to take pride in their country.

While national anthem protocols do not specifically mention the singing of Advance Australia Fair in schools, the NT policy mandates that students learn about national symbols, including the anthem, through the Australian curriculum’s civics and citizenship section, with singing the anthem being taught in the arts section.

According to Ms. Hersey, singing the anthem is compulsory in public schools, while the decision to incorporate Welcome to Country practices is left to individual schools. Students are expected to sing both verses of the anthem in English, with no alternative words allowed, and are required to stand while singing.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of the Country Liberal Party supported the policy, emphasizing the importance of building a shared national identity.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare noted that the anthem is already frequently sung in schools and expressed his support for students singing it as a way to show pride in their country.

While schools in some states like Victoria have guidelines that allow students to opt out of patriotic ceremonies for religious or cultural reasons, the anthem is widely sung at assemblies in Tasmania, although it may not be a daily requirement in all schools. In Queensland, there is no formal policy dictating when the national anthem should be played in public schools.

The national anthem protocols emphasize that Advance Australia Fair is a significant national symbol that should be treated with respect and dignity. It should be sung in English without modifications to the tune or tempo, and standing while singing is customary. In January 2021, the second line of the anthem was changed to “For we are one and free” to acknowledge the heritage of Indigenous Australians.

Overall, the mandate for public school students to sing the national anthem in the Northern Territory aims to foster a sense of national pride and unity among students.