INDIGENOUS STUDENT TEACHERS CELEBRATE GRADUATION

More than 50 Indigenous student teachers will graduate next week from Tropical North Queensland TAFE in Cairns after completing the TAFE component of the award-winning Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP).

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the program was making a real difference in developing Indigenous teachers.

“This community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teacher education program is increasing the pool of registered Indigenous teachers in Queensland,” Mr Welford said.

“It is open to Indigenous high school graduates and adult learners who want to become primary school teachers, or enter associated vocations.

“The program is being delivered at 25 rural and remote community sites throughout Queensland with the support of Education Queensland teacher coordinators, site teachers and Tropical North Queensland TAFE and James Cook University teachers and lecturers.

“Some of this group of graduates - one of the largest number of graduates ever - will go on to do the Bachelor qualification at James Cook University while others will seek employment in schools in positions such as teacher aides.”

The graduates come from all over Queensland including Toowoomba, St George, Mossman, Palm Island, Thursday Island, Cairns, Yarrabah, Charleville, Hopevale, Cherbourg, Mareeba, Mt Isa, Moa Island, Coconut Island, Mapoon, Lockhart River, Yorke Island and Darnley Island.

The Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP) is delivered under a partnership between Education Queensland, Tropical North Queensland TAFE, James Cook University and Indigenous communities.

Students can study Certificates III, IV and Diploma of Education through Tropical North Queensland TAFE.

More than 100 Indigenous teachers have graduated from university through the program since it began in 1990.

The graduation will be held at 2pm Thursday 30 November at the Queenslander Restaurant, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Building, Cairns TAFE Campus, Gatton St, Manunda.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000