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Coag report reveals failures on Indigenous education and employment Coag report reveals failures on Indigenous education and employment
(4 months later)
Indigenous access to early childhood education and Year 12 completion is on the up, but Indigenous students are struggling in the years in between.Indigenous access to early childhood education and Year 12 completion is on the up, but Indigenous students are struggling in the years in between.
The Coag reform council report on Indigenous reform – released on Wednesday – has revealed some successes but also some large failures among efforts to close the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in education and employment.The Coag reform council report on Indigenous reform – released on Wednesday – has revealed some successes but also some large failures among efforts to close the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in education and employment.
Looking at Naplan results for years 3, 5, 7 and 9, the report revealed there had been little to no progress since 2008 on reaching reading and numeracy goals.Looking at Naplan results for years 3, 5, 7 and 9, the report revealed there had been little to no progress since 2008 on reaching reading and numeracy goals.
The difference in education levels is widest in the Northern Territory, where the widest gap is 61.6% in Year 5 students’ reading levels.The difference in education levels is widest in the Northern Territory, where the widest gap is 61.6% in Year 5 students’ reading levels.
The rate of achievement in school also decreases in more remote areas.The rate of achievement in school also decreases in more remote areas.
The results are “a worry”, according to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner for the Australian Human Rights Commission, Mick Gooda.The results are “a worry”, according to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner for the Australian Human Rights Commission, Mick Gooda.
“At the top end, we're now getting an improvement of 6.5% in kids attending Year 12,” said Gooda.“At the top end, we're now getting an improvement of 6.5% in kids attending Year 12,” said Gooda.
“It seems to be in that middle area where things like literacy and numeracy need to be picked up. We should be targeting resources and targeting effort.”“It seems to be in that middle area where things like literacy and numeracy need to be picked up. We should be targeting resources and targeting effort.”
Targets for early-childhood education are one of the key successes of the report. The aim is for 95% of four-year-old Indigenous children in remote areas to have access to preschool by the end of this year. Access is already at 91%.Targets for early-childhood education are one of the key successes of the report. The aim is for 95% of four-year-old Indigenous children in remote areas to have access to preschool by the end of this year. Access is already at 91%.
“The enrolment data suggests that good progress is being made, although we do make a recommendation in relation to preschool attendance,” said the Coag reform council chairman, John Brumby.“The enrolment data suggests that good progress is being made, although we do make a recommendation in relation to preschool attendance,” said the Coag reform council chairman, John Brumby.
In the light of the success, the federal government on Tuesday announced a new goal of 90% attendance.In the light of the success, the federal government on Tuesday announced a new goal of 90% attendance.
Despite these efforts at the beginning and the end of schooling showing promise, post-school training is not improving enough to make a difference.Despite these efforts at the beginning and the end of schooling showing promise, post-school training is not improving enough to make a difference.
While the proportion of Indigenous people “with or working towards post-school qualifications” increased between 2006 and 2012, non-Indigenous Australia’s rate increased faster, widening the gap.While the proportion of Indigenous people “with or working towards post-school qualifications” increased between 2006 and 2012, non-Indigenous Australia’s rate increased faster, widening the gap.
And this affects job prospects.And this affects job prospects.
The Indigenous unemployment rate is at 17.2%.The Indigenous unemployment rate is at 17.2%.
Between 2006 and 2011 the gaps in employment, labour force participation and unemployment widened by between 1.2% and 2.3% due to the Indigenous employment rate falling while the non-Indigenous rate rose.Between 2006 and 2011 the gaps in employment, labour force participation and unemployment widened by between 1.2% and 2.3% due to the Indigenous employment rate falling while the non-Indigenous rate rose.
NSW was the only state to narrow a gap in employment rates. Queensland and Western Australia saw the largest increase.NSW was the only state to narrow a gap in employment rates. Queensland and Western Australia saw the largest increase.
“With those big resource booms happening – and we know the efforts that companies are making to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in those industries – it's a bit surprising,” said Gooda about the two states.“With those big resource booms happening – and we know the efforts that companies are making to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in those industries – it's a bit surprising,” said Gooda about the two states.
In 2011 (the most recent year for available data), just 46.2% of Indigenous Australians between 15 and 64 years old were employed and 55.9% were participating in the labour force. The figures for non-Indigenous Australians were 70.6% and 75% respectively.In 2011 (the most recent year for available data), just 46.2% of Indigenous Australians between 15 and 64 years old were employed and 55.9% were participating in the labour force. The figures for non-Indigenous Australians were 70.6% and 75% respectively.
Brumby said Indigenous disadvantage was a national concern with a long road ahead, but “Governments across Australia should take heart from the successes to date and be confident that change is possible.”Brumby said Indigenous disadvantage was a national concern with a long road ahead, but “Governments across Australia should take heart from the successes to date and be confident that change is possible.”
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