Encouraging Educational Engagement and Motivation

New position paper

When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures are intentionally showcased in teaching and learning, and educators tailor their practices to learners' diverse contexts and experiences, Indigenous students are more engaged and motivated, leading to stronger academic outcomes. Our position paper, Encouraging Educational Engagement and Motivation, explores how culturally responsive teaching practices strengthen motivation and engagement for all learners.

This is the final paper in the 2026 Weaving our Stories campaign.

Read the paper here.

Citation

Hogarth, M. & Tajima, S. (2026). Encouraging Educational Engagement and Motivation: Position Paper. Ngarrngga. https://doi.org/10.26188/32321979

Our calls to action

• We challenge educators, educational leaders, and educational institutions, from early childhood centres to universities, to critically examine their curricula, teaching practices, and institutional cultures to identify and address any biases, stereotypes, or marginalisation of Indigenous perspectives and knowledges, as well as identify opportunities to strengthen this work.

• We urge the Australian government and education authorities to provide adequate funding and resources to support initiatives, which aim to amplify Indigenous Knowledges and perspectives in education.

• We call upon governments and educational policymakers to prioritise the meaningful integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and knowledges into the national curriculum across all subject areas and grade levels.

• We encourage all Australians, regardless of their background, to engage with and learn about the histories, cultures, and knowledges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This can be achieved through attending cultural events, reading works by Indigenous authors, and seeking out opportunities for respectful dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

About Weaving our Stories

The Weaving our Stories project highlights the significance of incorporating Indigenous Knowledges into Australian education and includes a series of position papers as well as additional materials to support educators and educational leadership to effectively advocate for the integration of Indigenous Knowledges in their teaching and learning.