There is no proof that changing bilingual education in the Northern Territory will improve English literacy for Indigenous students, a leading academic says.

In a bid to improve literacy from next year, all bilingual schools in the Territory will have to teach Indigenous students the first four hours in English.

But Professor Peter Buckskin, who is part of a team examining the success of the Howard government's Australian Direction in Indigenous Education, says governments should embrace Indigenous languages in schools, not move to restrict them.

"The Northern Territory has a real privilege of having inter-generational language speakers and that should never, never be lost to the communities of the Northern Territory," the University of South Australia professor said.

"They have a real opportunity to develop really best practice models in the world."

He cannot understand why bilingual education is being changed.

"We couldn't find enough evidence that was strong enough to suggest that by dismantling the bilingual program you would achieve better English literacy outcomes."

But the Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, says change is needed.

"The debate has to move on in regards on how we can improve attendance in our remote schools and how we can improve outcomes - literacy, numeracy outcomes, getting our students in our remote and regional schools.

"Getting to benchmark in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 like the bulk of other Australian kids."

(www.eduwo.com, Jainlyn&Charlotte)