Attendance not the only issue

LAUREN MOSS

EVERY Territory student should be attending school every day.

It sounds like it should be simple – getting kids through the school gate each morning. And for most Territory kids it is simple – they’re thriving at school.

But for some of our children and young people – too many of them – it’s not that simple. They face significant social, economic, health, geographic and cultural challenges that make it difficult to engage with school.

Over the decades, various strategies have been put in place to improve school attendance with varying degrees of success. But if we are to truly turn the dial, we need to start meeting children and young people where they are. We need to better understand the barriers they face and work with them to pull down those barriers and clear the path, so they are better able to engage and learn.

Better housing and primary health care are critical here and we are investing in both. But we also need to get better at listening to communities about their aspirations for their children and listening to young people about what will truly ignite their passion for learning.

Since becoming Education Minister, I have visited more than 60 of our Territory schools – urban, regional, remote and homeland schools.

Everywhere I go, I see educators dedicated and focused on supporting their students to do and be their best.

I have watched students learning in classrooms and on country; focused, engaged and taking pride in their achievements. I have heard community members talk passionately about the future they want for their children.

It brings home very clearly that for our disengaged children and young people, the cost of not attending school is too high and the risks are too great.

Every student matters and that’s why we need to do better – at addressing the impediments that prevent kids from getting to school and then ensuring that when they are there, learning is relevant to their life, their culture, their community.

Getting every child to school every day is up to all of us. Together.

It is an enormous, ambitious task and that’s why we are turning to our students, families, educators and communities to help us develop a new approach to engaging kids at school. Not just getting them to attend, but ensuring learning is meaningful and enjoyable for them.

We want to hear everyone’s voice – students, educators, families, communities. You can be part of the conversation by attending a community consultation or making a submission online.