Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the education system and beyond - Submission 37

Sep 5, 2026

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Submission 37 addresses the urgent need to retain Indonesian language teaching in Queensland schools and examines current Asian language learning and cultural studies across schools, universities, and the wider community. The author, an associate professor in Indonesian studies, outlines evidence of rapid decline since 2020, notes the near-extinction of Indonesian programs in Queensland—especially at senior high school and tertiary levels—and highlights structural mechanisms driving closures. Recommendations align with ACICIS proposals to stimulate demand and improve access.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

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Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the education system and beyond

Submission 37

Urgent intervention to retain Indonesian programs

Current state of Asian language learning and cultural studies

Decline of Indonesian teaching in Queensland since 2020

Remaining schools and 2026 outlook

Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the education system and beyond Submission 37 4 November 2025 To: The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education Re: Submission to the Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the Education System and Beyond This submission is made in my personal capacity and does not reflect the views of my employer. Iam an Associate Professor in Indonesian studies and have taught Indonesian language, culture, history and politics within The School of Languages and Cultures at The University of Queensland (St Lucia, QLD) since the mid-2000s. Since 2009, I have collaborated with the teachers of Indonesian in QLD schools through the Modern Languages Teachers’Association of Queensland (MLTAQ)-Indonesian, and other associated bodies, such as the Centre of Indonesian Language and Culture Queensland (BBBIQ). I have also developed resources for Indonesian classroom teaching and run almost all Indonesian language Professional Development training for teachers in QLD over the last 15 years. This submission is made by me, but draws on information: gathered from the few remaining teachers of Indonesian in QLD; the findings of my former Honours student from a study that she conducted in 2018; and a previous submission to the QLD government in 2021 (all sources are referenced, below) . I address points 1 and 3 of the Inquiry’s ToR (but in the reverse order), to draw the Standing Committee’s attention to the urgent need for intervention to retain Indonesian language teaching in Queensland schools. I also endorse the recommendations put to the Inquiry from the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), of which UQ is a member, and note that Iam a member of that organisation’s Reference Group. (3) The current state of Asian language learning and Asian cultural studies in schools, universities and the community, and strategies to stimulate demand and improve access. I call on this Inquiry to make urgent recommendations to intervene to retain Indonesian language programs in Queensland schools. Indonesian language learning in Queensland is now close to extinction, particularly at the senior High School and Tertiary levels. The socio-political and educational drivers for the decline and stagnation in Indonesian in schools and universities across Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the education system and beyond Submission 37 Australia since the early 2000s have been extensively mapped elsewhere 1 ; but this decline has been most severe in Queensland. I focus my points here on the imminent end to Indonesian in Queensland high schools2, and then outline the structural mechanisms driving these closures below (under ToR Point 1) . Currently in Queensland, there are only two high schools left which have consistently taught a Year 12 class (or combined Year 11/12 class) in Indonesian over the past 15 years: Ferny Grove State High School and Cairns School of Distance Education. There are 4 other schools in Queensland that offer Indonesian through to middle school: Burnside SHS, Park Ridge SHS, Prince of Peace Lutheran College, and St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe.3 Occasionally over the last 15 years, these 4 schools have had enough enrolments to offer a combined Year 11/12 class. Generally, though, for students wishing to continue Indonesian at these schools past Year 10, they must enroll via the Cairns School of Distance Education. As I outline below, in 2026, the situation will be worse, with these few remaining programs in danger of wrapping up. For context, let me first sketch the most recent trend, which is one of further decline in the number of schools offering Indonesian since 2020. If this current trend in the rate of closures of Indonesian programs in QLD schools persists, there will be no more Indonesian taught at high schools within the next 3-4 years, and likely no more primary school progra

FAQs

What is the main purpose of Submission 37?

To urge urgent recommendations to retain Indonesian language programs in Queensland schools and draw attention to structural factors driving program closures.

How has Indonesian language teaching declined in Queensland?

The submission reports a rapid decline since 2020, with secondary schools falling from 9 (2020) to 6 (2025) and the number of primary schools dropping from 37 (2020) to 26 (2025).

Which schools are currently left offering Indonesian, and what is the expected situation in 2026?

Only two high schools have consistently taught Year 12 Indonesian class over the past 15 years: Ferny Grove State High School and Cairns School of Distance Education. The author warns that in 2026 the remaining programs are in danger of wrapping up.

Sep 5, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper