Aboriginal Education

We are committed to promoting the educational achievements of all indigenous students and to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of all students about Aboriginal Australia.

Torres Strait Islander students are respected as a distinct Indigenous group, however their needs are addressed by the Aboriginal Education policy.

The NSW Aboriginal Education Policy is informed by developments in state and national education and training policies and reports on Aboriginal issues. 

These policies and reports highlight the importance of literacy skills for Aboriginal students and encourage the integration of Aboriginal Australian studies into all school curricula.

Equality is one of the democratic values that underpins the NSW public school system and all students are entitled to conditions which will lead to the successful completion of schooling. For this to be achieved all students are considered to be unique.

Their differences are taken into account when designing education programs. These differences include ethnicity; language and culture; socio-economic circumstances; sex; geographical location; and particular disabilities.

There is an urgent and compelling need to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students to a level comparable with those of the general school population.

The first policy for Aboriginal education in NSW was released in 1982 and focused on the advancement of Aboriginal communities and appreciation of Aboriginal cultures and societies by other Australians.

The values and philosophy of Aboriginal education and cultures have continued to be promoted in school communities throughout NSW, with particular emphasis on early childhood education as the real foundation of social and emotional development for children and of literacy and learning.