Getting kids to school in remote Indigenous communities

Indigenous parents in Mornington Island and Doomadgee will soon benefit from increased support to help get their children to school, thanks to an $807,000 funding boost from the Australian Government.

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Senator for Queensland, Jan McLucas said the investment will fund community and school-based case management teams to support students and their families to stay engaged in school and learning, under the Parents Supporting Learning initiative.

“Our most important job is making sure kids are growing up happy, healthy and safe,” Ms Macklin said.

“Kids should be going to school every day ready to learn, so they can get the best possible start in life.

“Parents Supporting Learning helps Government agencies work more effectively together, and with the community, to support parents whose children have become disengaged or are at risk of disengagement from school.

“Local case workers will be supported to work with parents and students to identify any factors leading to children missing school, and help them access helpful support services such as child health checks or nutrition programs.”

Senator McLucas said the extra funding was part of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Account.

“The government has invested $46 million over three years for high-priority projects in remote Indigenous communities across Australia,” Senator McLucas said.

“These projects have been identified by the local community. Locals have told us what is important and we are responding directly to them.”

“We know that ending the disadvantage experienced in many Indigenous communities caused by decades of underinvestment will take time, but our work is starting to close the gap, through improved services, better education, safer houses and healthier communities.”