Hope for NT children and young people with better funded education

The Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peaks (Coalition of Peaks) welcomes yesterday’s announcement by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments of a significant agreement to fund all Northern Territory public schools fully and fairly by 2029.

The agreement will see an additional estimated $737.7 million invested in the Territory’s public schools from 2025 to 2029.

Pat Turner, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, says it is an important step towards Closing the Gap on education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people as they move through the education system.

“Educating our children is one of the very best ways we can improve their future, and then generations to come after that,” Ms Turner said.

“As today’s Closing the Gap data report shows us, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people completing Year 12 or equivalent is increasing, but the 95 per cent target is not on track to be met by 2031. So I am pleased there funding now available through this agreement to better support our young people.

“For years we have been advocating for more investment in education so our children and young people have the chance to thrive.”

The funding equates to an additional $33,764 for every student in public schools, and $7,596 for every student in non-government schools, on average.

“New targets for increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in Territory schools will also ensure our kids can learn from people who understand their culture and community,” Ms Turner said.

“I thank the Federal and Northern Territory Education Ministers, Jason Clare, and Mark Monaghan, for their leadership and commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.

“This is what can be achieved when governments adhere to their commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – to partner in decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“At last we will see Northern Territory public schools move towards full funding levels.”

Ms Turner stressed the importance of all governments – federal, state and territory – delivering on the National Agreement to support Closing the Gap.

“It is imperative that initiatives like these are undertaken with the full implementation of the four Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which each level of government signed up to with the Coalition of Peaks in July 2020,” Ms Pat Turner said.

“In summary that means shared decision-making in partnership between governments and the Coalition of Peaks; growing and strengthening community-controlled organisations; eliminating racism in mainstream entities, and transparency in sharing data and information in all partnership forums.”

“If governments work within these parameters, I am very confident we will see improvements across the board.”

Media contact: Chris Arnott, 0452 616 737 or Iona Salter, 0413 185 634