Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER)
Monitoring Report
2. Enhancing Education
Parents of Indigenous children need to be involved in ensuring their children get a complete education. Children need to be encouraged to expand their expectations of themselves. Children of all ages will face learning difficulties if they are tired or hungry, both of which make them unable to fully concentrate on the tasks set by teachers. Regular school attendance is clearly essential for learning.
2.1 School Attendance
The data Table 2.1.1 include students in both government and non government schools in the NTER prescribed areas. The table shows that at December 2007 the combined attendance rate for Primary and Secondary School students was 63% compared to 61% for December 2008.
| Stage of schooling | Dec 07 | Dec 08 | Change between Dec 07 and Dec 08 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Enrolment | 953 | 1,025 | 72 |
| Attendance | 57% | 56% | -0.9% | Primary School | Enrolment | 5,460 | 5,336 | N/A |
| Attendance | 66% | 63% | N/A | |
| Secondary School | Enrolment | 1,335 | 1,929 | N/A |
| Attendance | 53% | 54% | N/A | |
| Combined Secondary and Primary School | Enrolment | 6,795 | 7,265 | 470 |
| Attendance | 63% | 61% | -2.6 |
Source: Northern Territory Government – Department of Education and Training
Table 2.1.1 also shows that:
- As at December 2007 attendance rates for Preschool children was 57%, for Primary School children 66% and for Secondary School students 53 %.
- As at December 2008 attendance rates for Preschool children were 56%, for Primary School children 63% and for Secondary school students 54%.
NT Department of Education and Training introduced Middle Years schooling in 2007 / 2008, which means from 2008 Year 7 students are counted as secondary students instead of primary students. This means care is required when comparing attendance rates for Primary and Secondary students from 2007 to 2008. However, the data indicates that Primary School attendance dropped by 3 percentage points and Secondary School attendance increased by 1 percentage point. The change in Primary School and Secondary School attendance rates is partially attributable to the introduction of Middle Years schooling.
2.2 School Nutrition Programs
As at December 2008 71 schools across 73 prescribed communities are being supported by a School Nutrition Program.
As at December 2008, 71 schools across 73 communities are being supported by a School Nutrition Program with the program is now in place in all prescribed communities. At 30 June 2008, there were School Nutrition Programs established in 55 communities and 8 town camp areas.
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