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Media Release
$3 MILLION FOR NEW READING STRATEGY TO HELP INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
26 August, 2004 MIN 899/04
I am pleased to announce today that the Australian Government will provide $3 million towards an innovative pilot project to reduce the literacy and numeracy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Yachad Accelerated Learning Project is modelled on Israeli pioneer programmes that combat patterns of educational disadvantage through accelerated learning, teacher training and community involvement, rather than conventional remedial approaches.
The key principles of the project’s approach are a belief that every child can learn the standard curriculum, and that every child can fulfil their potential. The project focuses on the capacities of each teacher and each child to achieve the national benchmark standard in literacy and numeracy. The programme has a specific emphasis on assisting those children in the bottom 25% of their class.
The project will be piloted in communities participating in the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Whole of Government Indigenous trials and proposed sites include the East Kimberley in Western Australia, Shepparton in Victoria, and Cape York in Queensland.
The Australian Government’s contribution of $3 million over three years will be in addition to funding contributions from a range of industry and philanthropic partners.
The project reflects the Howard Government’s strong support for collaborative models that include the community, government and philanthropic enterprises.
The Australian Government is strongly committed to reducing the educational divide between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and over the next four years will provide a record $2.1 billion in funding for Indigenous education – an increase of 20.5% over the previous four year period.
Media Contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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