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Indigenous education

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan (2010-2014) provides schools and education departments in Australia with a road map for closing the gap between the educational outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

These actions are linked to six areas that evidence shows will have the most impact on closing the gap:

  • Readiness for school
  • Engagement and connections
  • Attendance
  • Literacy and numeracy
  • Leadership, quality teaching and workforce development
  • Pathways to real post-school options.

The Action Plan identifies primary schools in each state and territory with the greatest need and where efforts should be focused to make the greatest difference.

Northern Territory focus schools (pdf 21 kb)

Transforming Indigenous education

As part of the Working Future plan, education opportunities will be boosted in our 20 largest remote communities, to be known as Growth Towns.

The Growth Towns will offer a full range of education and training options from preschool through to year 12, vocational education and training at school, and post-school training.

Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council

The Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council (NTIEC) is an Indigenous representative advisory body appointed by the Minister for Education and Training to provide advice and make recommendations to the NT Government and Australian Government Ministers on education for Indigenous students in the Northern Territory.

The Council provides a vital link between local schools, communities and governments to ensure Indigenous students get the best possible outcomes. A key role of the council is to consult directly with Indigenous people across the Territory on a regular basis and reflect Indigenous people's views, aspirations and concerns on education services and outcomes for Indigenous students.

The Council's Strategic Plan for 2010-2012 (pdf 126 kb) outlines the vision and priorities, lists current members and specifies how they plan to achieve their goals.

More about NTIEC

Alice Springs Indigenous Education Strategy

The Alice Springs Indigenous Education Strategy (pdf 572 kb) outlines the principles, initiatives and programs that the department has put in place to improve school attendance and results for Indigenous children.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Reconciliation Australia is the peak national organisation that builds and promotes reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for the wellbeing of the nation. The Department of Education and Training has become the first Northern Territory Government agency to sign a Statement of Commitment to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan.

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a tool to help build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and finds new ways to advance an organisation’s objectives through reconciliation. The RAP also contributes towards the national effort to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. The commitment intends that an action plan will be developed and finalised to coincide with the 2012 National Reconciliation Week.

Young Indigenous Leadership Program (IMPACT)

The IMPACT program aims to build a community of young Indigenous students, and help foster their skills in leadership, contribution to community and future pathways. Students engage in the program for three years (from Year 10 to completion of Year 12 or equivalent) and participate in a range of activities including leadership workshops, residential programs and activities to challenge and inspire them.

Literacy and Numeracy Strategy

The DET Literacy and Numeracy Strategy includes an element focussing on Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools. In addressing this element and aimed at improving the literacy and numeracy outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, guidelines have been developed to support schools.

Indigenous Kids Read

Indigenous Kids Read is a free resource for Indigenous families to help their young children (0-8 years old) with literacy and language development. The website was developed by a project team that included Indigenous and non-Indigenous early childhood educators and was trialled in a number of sites including remote Indigenous community contexts.

The project was funded through the auDA Foundation and the Council of Government Schools Organisation and was a collaboration between the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and the University of Canberra.

Read English on the Web a website designed to help the adult indigenous people of the Northern Territory begin to learn to read English. It employs animations, text with audio, specialised word processing software with audio capabilities, and an Internet Toolbar to help learners acquire English reading and language skills.

Publications archive

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