Students who stay on at school and complete year 12 are much more likely to undertake additional education and training. In turn, they will have more, and better, employment options.
In the long term, people who have completed secondary or post secondary education are more likely to encourage their children to do the same, so that the benefits can flow from one generation to another.
There has been success in increasing retention rates for Indigenous students in some schools where special programs have been introduced. Greater recognition of Indigenous culture can be an important element in giving students the skills and knowledge they need to ‘walk in two worlds’.
KEY MESSAGES
In 2006, 21 per cent of 15 year old Indigenous people were not participating in school education. Only 5 per cent of non-Indigenous 15 year olds were not participating in school education (table 3A.3.2).
In 2006, Indigenous students were half as likely as non-Indigenous students to continue to year 12 (figure 3.3.4).
In 2004-05, a smaller proportion (22 per cent) of Indigenous people than non-Indigenous people (47 per cent) had completed year 12 (table 3A.3.18).
The proportion of Indigenous students who achieved a year 12 certificate (after being enrolled in year 11 the previous year) changed little between 2001 and 2005 (tables 3A.3.11-15).
THINGS THAT WORK
Deadly Vibe – a magazine for Indigenous students published by Vibe Australia (an Aboriginal media agency) with funding from the Australian Government, encourages Indigenous students to stay at school (box 3.3.2).
The Cape York Institute’s Higher Expectations Program and St Joseph’s Indigenous fund are examples of successful non-government sector sponsorship of scholarship programs for children to board at private schools (box 3.3.2).
The Clontarf Foundation in WA engages and supports young Indigenous men to complete year 12 and then provides assistance to find employment. The Foundation establishes Football Academies in partnership with mainstream schools (box 3.3.2).
Where on-site secondary education is unavailable in the NT, the Northern Territory Open Education Centre is working closely with small remote schools to support students undertaking secondary school subjects (box 3.3.2).
Report Chapter 3: Headline Indicators
(PDF document)
Attachment 3A
(Excel document)
See next indicator: Post secondary education - participation and attainment.
