Boarding facility for Gove

Adam Giles, Member for Braitling
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

Peter Chandler, Member for Brennan
Minister for Education

The Country Liberals Government has continued its commitment to delivering quality education in the East Arnhem region with the announcement of a new residential boarding facility.

This year’s Territory budget included $40.5 million for regional boarding facilities and the Government is currently negotiating a partnership with the Commonwealth to deliver a facility that meets the needs of the community.        

"We are committed to building an education system that delivers results for our students but attendance is our biggest problem," Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

"We believe boarding schools will be central to giving our children the best chance at a prosperous future but we want to talk to local parents and communities across the region about our plans.

“The government is negotiating with the Yothu Yindi Foundation to employ an appropriately qualified education specialist to work through the foundation to consult clan groups about the plan.

“That specialist will work with a steering group of local representatives who properly represent the various regional communities and clan groups to facilitate consultation with residents and key stakeholder groups throughout the region.

“Once extensive consultation has taken place, it is expected that construction will get under way in 2016.”

Minister for Education Peter Chandler said offering secondary education in regional centres was a key recommendation of Bruce Wilson’s 'A Share in the Future' report.

“The review found that secondary education in the bush wasn’t working and went so far as to say it is impossible to deliver a quality secondary education in some of our smaller remote schools,” Mr Chandler said.

“Each year around 500 students in very remote schools should be gaining an NTCET however that level of education is only a reality for a handful of students.

“Many Indigenous students currently travel to Darwin or even interstate to access a quality secondary education but this new facility will mean students can do that much closer to home.

“Students will be able to return home over the weekend and during school holidays to see their family and community.

“The Department of Education will continue to offer a pathways program through the NT Open Education Centre to those secondary age students who wish to remain on community. A brand new state of the art NTOEC will be constructed on the grounds of Darwin High School by mid-2016.

“Boarding facilities are about giving remote students access to a high quality education and the same opportunity to learn and get a job as children in our major centres."

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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