Aboriginal education in NSW Government schools is to be strengthened under a new 10-year partnership agreement between the Department of Education and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSW AECG).
The Department said the new partnership agreement, Walking Together, Working Together, built on the strong foundation of the previous 2010-2020 agreement.
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell said NSW AECG was the peak advisory body to the Department on Aboriginal education and the partnership agreement was key to ensuring that every Aboriginal child and young person in the State achieved their potential.
“This partnership underpins the work to strengthen education for Aboriginal children and young people,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The clarity of the partnership will lead the development of a 10-year plan with interim and annual reporting accountabilities,” she said.
“It is essential that the students of NSW know, understand and learn about the land of the people they live and study on and celebrate the richness of Aboriginal cultures across our State.”
Ms Mitchell said the partnership would inform improvements to policy and ensure students were well prepared for school, with access to before-school education; support teachers in delivering culturally relevant curriculum; and support Aboriginal young people in being able to express confidently their knowledge of their culture and educational achievement.
She said the partnership would also ensure that every student in NSW left school with an understanding of Aboriginal heritage and culture, and of the history of interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.
