SNAICC in the News – 2024 NAPLAN results reveal need for early years and transition to school support
This week saw a spotlight on education across the nation with the 2024 NAPLAN results showing there is a significant disparity between the literacy and numeracy standards between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their non-indigenous classmates.
The 2024 NAPLAN results showed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are failing at four times the rate of non-Indigenous children and up to 90 per cent of students in remote communities are failing to reach minimum standards of literacy and numeracy with three out of four Indigenous children in remote communities requiring remedial intervention. In response, SNAICC CEO, Catherine Liddle said we need to look at what works best to close the gap on education outcomes for our children, and that means working with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to increase access to early childhood education and services. Programs such as Early Years Support, a pilot program supporting ACCO early education and care centres, need sustained funding. This program has had great success, yet funding runs out at the end of the year.
Some great progress has been made for South Australia’s Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, Wakwakurna Kanyini who announced their inaugural CEO, Ashum Owen. Ashum is a proud Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman with a strong background in law, policy and advocacy. She is committed to self-determination, truth-telling, protecting the human rights of our Aboriginal children and families and supporting strong cultural identities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are calling on governments to implement recommendations by the Productivity Commission on power-sharing. The Productivity Commission recently recommended that governments move out of a business-as-usual mindset and embrace power-sharing arrangements. Catherine Liddle was reported in Indigenous Business News after explaining that it’s past time all governments got serious about changing the way they work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations.
Interest in the First Nations Playgroup Pilot Program continues around the thirteen Aboriginal community-controlled organisations across the country being approved for funding to increase the opportunities for First Nations children and families to attend a culturally safe service in their community. SNAICC’s National Director Community Partner Team, Jess Davis was interviewed on BBM Radio in Cairns and the National Indigenous Radio Service about the program and the difference it will make. She explained that SNAICC is excited and honoured to be a part of this deadly program and that First Nations Playgroups Programs differ from other programs because they are community-led, and they really acknowledge what our mob knows, that our mob knows what’s best for our kids.
For complete coverage, read the news and media stories below.
Topic: 2024 NAPLAN Results
This week, SNAICC responsed to the 2024 NAPLAN results, highlighting the importance of access to appropriate early education and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
In a media release, Catherine Liddle outlined that the results should act as a wake-up call for those in charge of the nation’s education systems. The tragedy is we know what works. Improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children starts in the early years.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
Interview: NAPLAN disparity for Indigenous students – ABC Listen (published 14 August)
Excerpt:
Listen to full interview“Australia’s struggling students cannot wait any longer. The figures show that we need to move, and we need to move faster.”
Topic: SA Peak Body, Wakwakurna Kanyini announces CEO
In exciting news, South Australia’s Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Children, Wakwakurna Kanyini announced their inaugural CEO, Ashum Owen.
Ashum is a proud Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman with a strong background in law, policy and advocacy. She is committed to self-determination, truth-telling, protecting the human rights of our Aboriginal children and families and supporting strong cultural identities.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
Article: New South Australian peak body for Indigenous children and families appoints inaugural CEO – National Indigenous Times (published 9 August)
Excerpt:
“I am eager to join the existing accountability mechanisms and hold governments to account for their legislation, policies and practices that are responsible for the overrepresentation of our Aboriginal children and young people across many areas,” Ms Owen said.
Read full article
Topic: Calling on governments to implement recommendations by the Productivity Commission on power-sharing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are calling on governments to implement recommendations by the Productivity Commission on power-sharing. The Productivity Commission recently recommended that governments move out of a business-as-usual mindset and embrace power-sharing arrangements.
Catherine Liddle was reported in Indigenous Business News after explaining that it’s past time all governments got serious about changing the way they work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
Article: ‘Not a gap, it’s a chasm’: Government warned on inequity – Indigenous Business News (published 12 Aug)
Excerpt:
SNAICC had signed the agreement, along with other members of the Coalition of Peaks, in 2020 in good faith. “And hope that change at the government level would drive transformation in the lives of our people,” Ms Liddle said.
Read full article