Published Saturday, 26 May, 2007 at 05:01 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
STATE BUDGET PROVIDES $10 MILLION TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
Next month’s State Budget will allocate $10 million over four years for state and non-state schools to help improve the literacy and numeracy skills of Indigenous students Premier Peter Beattie announced today.
Mr Beattie said the Government planned to use $2.5 million a year to provide Professional Support Teachers and Learning Support Teams at identified sites throughout the state.
“Improving the education of young Indigenous Queenslanders is a high priority for our Government,” Mr Beattie said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent more than six per cent of Queensland students.
“Therefore it’s vital teachers have appropriate cross-cultural skills, knowledge and understanding to help these children to reach their full potential.
“This strategy aims to help teachers to develop an understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
“It also aims to keep Indigenous students engaged, progressing and succeeding in their learning; and to improve teaching practices and curriculum delivery.”
Mr Beattie said support teachers would assist early and middle phase teachers from Prep to Year 9 at schools with a high number of Indigenous students and where there had been an identified decline in literacy and numeracy standards.
“They will help teachers to understand underlying cultural, economic and social issues which may impact on an Indigenous student’s learning such as recognising when a student is under performing but is too ashamed to seek help,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said support teams would be modelled on the successful Spinifex College learning assistance and student support strategy.
“This strategy supports about 150 Indigenous students on the Mt Isa college’s campus as well as students in remote Gulf communities such as Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Burketown and Dajarra.”
Media contact: John Algate 0439 727 107
26 May 2007
Mr Beattie said the Government planned to use $2.5 million a year to provide Professional Support Teachers and Learning Support Teams at identified sites throughout the state.
“Improving the education of young Indigenous Queenslanders is a high priority for our Government,” Mr Beattie said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent more than six per cent of Queensland students.
“Therefore it’s vital teachers have appropriate cross-cultural skills, knowledge and understanding to help these children to reach their full potential.
“This strategy aims to help teachers to develop an understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
“It also aims to keep Indigenous students engaged, progressing and succeeding in their learning; and to improve teaching practices and curriculum delivery.”
Mr Beattie said support teachers would assist early and middle phase teachers from Prep to Year 9 at schools with a high number of Indigenous students and where there had been an identified decline in literacy and numeracy standards.
“They will help teachers to understand underlying cultural, economic and social issues which may impact on an Indigenous student’s learning such as recognising when a student is under performing but is too ashamed to seek help,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said support teams would be modelled on the successful Spinifex College learning assistance and student support strategy.
“This strategy supports about 150 Indigenous students on the Mt Isa college’s campus as well as students in remote Gulf communities such as Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Burketown and Dajarra.”
Media contact: John Algate 0439 727 107
26 May 2007