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Left-handed children are not being taught left-handed skills at school and we are taking a stand.
We see this as discrimination through neglect. The forced changing of left-handed children to using their right hand when writing stopped in mainstream schooling in the 1970s. Since then, left-handed children have been allowed to use their natural hand but they are not taught how to do those tasks with their natural hand. Teachers do not learn about handedness at university so of course they can’t teach it.
With children learning these basic skills from their earliest years, we need to inform and equip every educator and carer in Early Learning Centres and Primary Schools across the country so that they can actively support every child in their care, not just the majority.
Lefty’s is proud to announce their participation in the Australian Government’s Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System.
We had already identified that left-handedness is generally not included in teacher education that subsequently flows to left-handed students not being taught the basic skills in a left-handed way. With the support of our colleagues at L.E.F.T.-I.N. we formulated a comprehensive response to the Expert Panel’s request for comment with this opening statement:
On 5th July 2023, the Australian Government published its discussion paper ‘Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System’ (the Review). The Expert Panel proposes changes and considerations to the Education System to meet the 2019 Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (the Mparntwe Education Declaration) in preparation of the next National School Reform Agreement.
The Review states:
The Mparntwe Education Declaration, signed by all (Federal, State and Territory) Education Ministers, sets out two education goals for Australia which remain relevant: (1) the Australian education system promotes excellence and equity, and (2) all young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community. (page 10)
and defines the philosophy that
Every student should be supported as a whole person and enabled to meet their potential by having their learning needs met. Education should be inclusive and delivered in a culturally responsive manner. It should achieve equity across all schools, recognising the needs of all students. (page 11)
It is our view that these aims can not be achieved without considering of the handedness of each student. There is no reference to handedness in the Review document.
We also sent the same information to the Dean of Education at every university in Australia that educates our future primary school teachers and early childhood educators so they could include handedness issues in their teacher education programs. CLICK HERE to learn more about our Universities Program.
And our elected officials in government and opposition, plus the Heads of Departments of Education in each state and territory, are also receiving this information so that they can make informed decisions when discussing policy and funding.