Closing the Gap report makes for sad reading for NT indigenous children

THE Territory’s future prosperity and that of its indigenous people remains of great concern following the latest Closing the Gap report

The latest Closing the Gap report makes for sad reading ... if NT kids aren’t regularly attending school they are highly unlikely to become better educated

THE Territory’s future prosperity and that of its indigenous people remains of great concern following the latest Closing the Gap report.

How can the cycle of despair, poverty, youth crime and unemployment end if our current generation of children aren’t improving in their academic studies?

The figures in the report make for some troubling reading.

School attendances below 60 per cent.

Year Three reading and numeracy outcomes below 45 per cent.

How can the NT expect to reach its full potential when 30 per cent of its population is coming from such a poor start in life?

It is staggering the measures remain so low despite the awareness of the federal and NT governments of the serious problem facing communities.

Getting a good education is the basic building block of a person’s chance to become a functioning and contributing member of society.

If kids aren’t regularly attending school they are highly unlikely to become better educated.

So what needs to change?

That surely has to be the question, because it appears from the figures the current plan is not having the desired effect.

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Is it time for a complete rewrite of the program so the millions of dollars being thrown at the problem are being used effectively?

The right intention is there from everyone involved, that is undeniable.

But if results aren’t improving it is only natural to scrutinise the procedures in place.