[Greens-Media] SENATOR KERRY NETTLE: Greens call for state and federal indigenous education agreement to invest in public indigenous education

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

21.05.06

Greens call for state and federal indigenous education agreement to
invest in public indigenous education


Greens Education spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle has called on both
state and federal governments to establish a priority indigenous
education agreement which would invest hundreds of millions of dollars
into public indigenous education.

"Establishing $8000 a head indigenous schools like that proposed today
by St Andrews Cathedral School in Sydney cannot solve the crisis in
Indigenous schooling," Senator Nettle said.

"The Greens policy includes an annual investment of $380 million from
federal funding for a disadvantaged schools programme a significant
proportion of which will target indigenous communities.

"Any Indigenous education agreement between the states and the
Commonwealth must include funding to deliver; 
*	mandatory pre-service teacher education in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander culture and educational needs and
professional development for all existing teachers,
*	capital investment in new schools and facilities,
*	increased numbers of Aboriginal Education Assistants in public
schools,
*	the exploration of modes of public education that integrate
pre-school, primary secondary and TAFE, as well as the complete
range of public health and welfare services and community
development, and
*	increased numbers of teachers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander literacy and innumeracy programs.

"The federal budget cut Abstudy by $15 million and failed to deliver any
significant increase in core funding for indigenous education.

"Despite implementing promising programmes the states have also failed
to give sufficient priority to public school investment in indigenous
education.

"The Greens recognize that only public education can adequately address
the nationwide need for improved specialist indigenous education
provision."

Contact: Jon Edwards 0428 213 146