The ”explicit” teaching program is being expanded across the territory after “great” successes. Photo: Northern Territory Government.
The Northern Territory’s CLP Government has delivered on an election commitment to reform the education system in the state through a new Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Plan.
Under the new regimen, all NT government schools will utilise an evidence-based approach to education with a focus on the “explicit” teaching of reading and maths. This commitment is worth $14.2 million across the 2025-26 budget.
The system follows an ‘’I do’’, ‘’we do’’, ‘’you do’’ approach whereby educators break down concepts into more manageable components, giving students more ways to solve problems and learn.
Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said the plan intended to make NT government schools consistent for families, students and teachers, with a uniform approach focused on outcomes.
“The Finocchiaro CLP Government has taken a back-to-basics approach to ensure every student builds strong reading and maths skills,” Minister Hersey said.
“Our plan aligns to the evidence that shows that students who learn through explicit teaching make greater learning gains than students who do not.
“Every child deserves a quality education regardless of where they are in the Territory, and we are committed to working with and supporting schools to have a consistent teaching approach.”
The transition represents a change for teachers, and Minister Hersey said they would be supported in that period with improved resources and professional education to reduce teachers’ already large workloads.
“Our teachers have the greatest impact on student learning,” she said.
”In this Year of Action, Certainty and Security, we’re making sure they have the tools and support they need to confidently implement these teaching strategies.”
The policy was announced at Katherine South Primary School, where the program has already seen “great” success.
“As a principal, I see every day how explicit teaching works in the classroom,” head of Katherine South Primary Chris Errington said.
“Teachers are finding that it engages all students no matter their level and ensures they all have an opportunity to learn. It is the backbone to providing positive student outcomes at our school.
“I see the confidence of our teachers growing every day when they see the progress of their motivated and enthusiastic students.”
In addition to in-school support, the government is making available complementary learning materials created to support children’s education at home.
