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The latest Northern Territory Government school sector enrolment and attendance data confirms government policy is failing to improve school attendance for First Nations children.
Despite years of declining attendance, the Northern Territory Government continues choosing punitive policies, compliance measures and greater control over First Nations families.
The evidence is clear. Punishment does not create engagement.
For decades, the Northern Territory Government has ignored the expertise of First Nations educators and communities. As a result, education reform continues to be shaped without the knowledge of the people it is intended to serve.
Children’s Ground works alongside children and families every day. We know First Nations children want to learn. We know they engage when education values their language, culture and knowledge. It is the Northern Territory Government’s responsibility to build an education system that enables First Nations children to succeed. Instead, it continues placing that responsibility on children and families.
While the Government continues pursuing a compliance based approach, more than 120 First Nations educators, Elders and leaders are gathering on Arrernte Country this week through the Utyerre Apanpe National First Nations Educators Forum. They are advancing governance, curriculum and educational reform to build a First Nations education system grounded in community authority and self determination.
First Nations communities are already leading the educational reform governments continue to overlook.
Every First Nations family wants the best educational outcomes for their children. We know our children, we know what they need, and we know how to teach them. When First Nations communities have authority over the education of our children, they are stronger in their identity, connected to culture and better supported to succeed. It is time governments stopped blaming families and started trusting First Nations communities to lead. Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Educators Network
Every First Nations family wants the best educational outcomes for their children. We know our children, we know what they need, and we know how to teach them. When First Nations communities have authority over the education of our children, they are stronger in their identity, connected to culture and better supported to succeed. It is time governments stopped blaming families and started trusting First Nations communities to lead.
First Nations educators have spent decades developing practical solutions that strengthen engagement and educational outcomes. The Government continues investing in policies that have failed while refusing to shift decision making and investment to First Nations leadership.
Children’s Ground calls on the Northern Territory Government to end punitive responses to school attendance and invest in First Nations led education. Lasting improvement in educational outcomes for First Nations children will only come when First Nations communities hold authority over how their children are educated.
