Concerns over Australia’s lack of knowledge and understanding about Indonesia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Jakarta this week and highlighted the importance of Australia’s relationship with Indonesia.

But most young Australians have minimal knowledge about our northern neighbour.

Just 755 students across Australia studied Indonesian in Year 12 in 2019, the last year of school that wasn’t impacted by COVID.

Jennifer Star, Deputy Director of the Asia Education Foundation at Asialink, said there were multiple factors at play.

“Less than 10 per cent of students actually choose to study a language, because we don’t have to study it,” she said on 3AW Drive.

“And when you do give them the choice, very few choose Indonesian.”

Press PLAY below to hear her views on the issue

Picture: Getty iStock