Along with many thousands of Australians, I recently watched the Memorial Service held for Doctor Yunupingu in Arnhem land. Over a three hour period, many tributes and testimonials were offered, confirming his contribution to education and music.

One of the things that stood out most particularly was the way in which “older” Indigenous Australians spoke. What impressed me was evidence of the education obviously offered to them as young people. Their confidence, articulation and capacity to hold an audience through their conversational logic took me down the historical path – back to the “Mission” days of schooling and immediately post that period.

These speakers were at school during a time when education was far less resourced materially but when education for Indigenous Australians was much more effective than now.

Children who are now senior adults used to attend school regularly and learn a way that offered them sequenced, progressive and English based learning. 

Since those days, education has become far more occasional for Indigenous Australians. This is particularly the case with government schools but also affects the private sector. It is a sad fact but true, that irregular school attendance has negatively impacted on education.
A great deal of soul-searching goes on because Indigenous Education these days is not very successful. Certainly there are highlights now and again but all too often the downside of education is revealed. In my opinion it all comes down to one major issue – school attendance.

“Tempting” children and students to school

There are many inducements held out to encourage regular school attendance in community schools. Extended excursions often interstate, are offered to reward long-term school attendance. Sport programs may be on offer. In some places there is a “no school, no pool’ policy. A significant number of communities offer meals provided to children when they attend school. These are but some of the “carrots” offered children in an effort to entice them to attend school
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While school staff and government agencies do their level best to encourage school attendance, it is up to parents, primary caregivers and children themselves to respond. Far too many communities have school attendances in the 20, 30 and 40 percentile ranges; It is no wonder very little learning progression takes place. Neither should there be surprise that so many of the upcoming generation are functionally illiterate and not able to negotiate in the major language of our country. English is our transactional language and without it citizens are not going to succeed.

Unless there is a significant and uniform upturn in school attendance (and inducements don’t really make change happen – it has to come from the heart) nothing is going to alter except for a continuing diminution of educational outcomes. Attendance and punctuality habits must improve if our younger Indigenous Australians are to go anywhere near emulating the achievements of their elders.

Next week I will show that the issue of school attendance and punctuality has impacts beyond Indigenous education and remote schools, impacting on children and students Territory-wide.