❓ Hon Neil Thomson raises concerns about the significant decline in school attendance rates for Indigenous students in WA, particularly in remote areas, and questions the Minister's response. The Minister rejects the premise of failure.
AnsweredQoN 1483Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE —
INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
1483. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I
refer to the data provided by Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting
Authority on the school attendance rate and the school attendance level
in Western Australia. According to this data, the school attendance level for years 7 to 10 Indigenous students in government
schools and in all locations has collapsed from 26.7 per cent in 2016 to
only 16.6 per cent in 2023.
(1) Noting the importance of an education for closing
the gap on Indigenous disadvantage, what is the minister doing to
resolve this crisis?
(2) Noting the crisis is much worse in remote and very
remote locations, will the minister consider establishing an independent
inquiry into his failure of Indigenous students in Western Australia?
INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
1483. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I
refer to the data provided by Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting
Authority on the school attendance rate and the school attendance level
in Western Australia. According to this data, the school attendance level for years 7 to 10 Indigenous students in government
schools and in all locations has collapsed from 26.7 per cent in 2016 to
only 16.6 per cent in 2023.
(1) Noting the importance of an education for closing
the gap on Indigenous disadvantage, what is the minister doing to
resolve this crisis?
(2) Noting the crisis is much worse in remote and very
remote locations, will the minister consider establishing an independent
inquiry into his failure of Indigenous students in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The department is committed to building a culturally
responsive education system and providing culturally responsive
services, supports, approaches and programs so that Aboriginal students feel
welcome, safe and valued in schools. In collaboration with local Aboriginal
community members, school leaders and staff are expected to develop and
implement strategies that address factors that may affect student attendance. The department's Student
attendance in public schools policy and Student attendance in public schools procedures reinforce the importance of early intervention and
building a shared responsibility for attendance between schools, students,
parents and the broader community. The department provides guidance and
supporting resources to assist schools in building positive and productive
partnerships with families, communities and agencies to support the educational
engagement of every student. This work is
underpinned by the Department of Education's Every day matters:
10-point plan to improve attendance . In each region, senior officers
ensure schools remain focused on Aboriginal attendance.
(2) The Minister for Education rejects the personally
pejorative premise of the question.
responsive education system and providing culturally responsive
services, supports, approaches and programs so that Aboriginal students feel
welcome, safe and valued in schools. In collaboration with local Aboriginal
community members, school leaders and staff are expected to develop and
implement strategies that address factors that may affect student attendance. The department's Student
attendance in public schools policy and Student attendance in public schools procedures reinforce the importance of early intervention and
building a shared responsibility for attendance between schools, students,
parents and the broader community. The department provides guidance and
supporting resources to assist schools in building positive and productive
partnerships with families, communities and agencies to support the educational
engagement of every student. This work is
underpinned by the Department of Education's Every day matters:
10-point plan to improve attendance . In each region, senior officers
ensure schools remain focused on Aboriginal attendance.
(2) The Minister for Education rejects the personally
pejorative premise of the question.
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