David Gonski proposes nationwide ethics education to combat hate

David Gonski, chair of the federal antisemitism education taskforce, has proposed implementing ethics classes across all levels of education in Australia to combat hate and improve social cohesion. Speaking to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Gonski suggested that lessons regarding antisemitism should begin as early as preschool.

Gonski advocated for the establishment of an ethics institute capable of providing instruction for primary, secondary, and tertiary students. He highlighted the ‘Primary Ethics’ program, which currently serves as a secular alternative to scripture classes in over 500 NSW public primary schools, as a model for broader implementation. He also noted that such ethical teachings could provide benefits to the business sector.