Indigenous education
Improving the educational outcomes of Indigenous students and supporting Indigenous staff are key priorities for the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET).
The Territory has a unique demographic and geographic profile. Indigenous Territorians comprise 30% of the population, most of whom live in remote communities spread across 1 346 200 square kilometres. Indigenous students represent 39% of the Territory Government student cohort. A high proportion of these students have English as a Second Language (ESL). Just 15% of working-aged Indigenous Territorians had a mainstream job at the time of the 2001 census.
Education outcomes for Indigenous Territorians have improved, most notably in the past few years with an increase in the number of Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) graduates from remote community schools. However, there is still a large disparity between the educational achievement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
The department is committed to providing quality education that is relevant and accessible for all Indigenous students and leads to further opportunities in education, training, and employment.
It is envisaged that an increase in the educational outcomes of Indigenous students will enable more Indigenous Territorians to participate effectively in the NT workforce, and to actively pursue economic development opportunities.
The Indigenous Education Strategic Plan 2006-2009 is the department’s key statement to drive major improvements in Indigenous education outcomes.
Snapshot of Australian Indigenous education
- 985 Indigenous communities
- 51 homeland learning centres
- 188 schools (152 public and 36 private schools)
- 119 schools and 70% of Indigenous students are located outside of Alice Springs and Darwin
- 39% of students in the Northern Territory are from an ESL background. More than three quarters of these students are Indigenous.
- The NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service has registered 104 Indigenous languages and dialects
For further information about Indigenous Education please call (08) 8999 5602.