I read this story about teaching English in NT schools - and thought that maybe the blogocrats could provide some more information.

The NT Government has directed schools to teach English for the first four hours of the day in communities where English is not a first language.

Critics say the strategy, supported by the Rudd Government, will dismantle bilingual education and lead to assimilation in remote communities. They also warn it could lead to lower attendance and school retention rates.

From what I can gather, some schools primarily teach the local indigenous language as the primary language - and this provided some incentive for the kids to go to school.

The Yirrkala School in Arnhem Land is one of nine schools that teach children in their Aboriginal language before English. Staff at the school say the community is strongly opposed to being pressured to teach four hours of English each day. They fear it will undermine community support, school attendance and Aboriginal language teaching.

So - is it a good move to force schools to teach English or not?