Linda Burney announces $18m funding pool for Central Australian boarding schools

Additional funding for Central Australian boarding schools to upgrade and improve their infrastructure is on the horizon. Here’s what one education leader thinks.

A staunch education activist is “excited, thrilled, and relieved” to finally get the ball rolling on greater boarding supports for Central Australia’s remote students.

Yipirinya School principal and Alice Springs councillor Gavin Morris said Yipirinya’s boarding school was a 10-year vision in the making and the $18m Central Australia Boarding Response Fund was a chance to brighten kids’ futures.

Mr Morris said he himself had been involved in advocating for the school for the past three years.

“The impact that it can make is life changing,” he said.

“It’s life changing in terms of the kids who are involved, and it’s life changing in terms of closing the gap.

“This is a community-based solution, so when these commitments get made, it’s in everyone’s interest now to ensure that money gets spent the right way and gets done quickly.”

Alice Springs based Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris on the school grounds with Malikai Hayes, Keylin Peters (red cap), Adrian Nelson (black cap). Picture: Grenville Turner

Mr Morris said Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney’s announcement on Monday was a sign the community was finally being listened to.

“Someone who’s got the power and control and decision-making capacity in Canberra has listened to the on-the-ground stuff,” he said.

“This is this is a really exciting step forward.”

Upgrades and upkeep made easier for Red Centre boarding schools

Red Centre schools could claim a share in $18m to give remote and regional students “the best chance of reaching their full potential”.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney on Monday said October’s review of Central Australian boarding school options led to the new funding pool for schools in the area.

Ms Burney said schools such as Yirara College, Yipirinya School, and St Phillip’s College would be able to improve their boarding facilities and increase their student capacity with grants released under the Central Australia Boarding Response Fund.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney – alongside Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour – announced the $18m Central Australia Boarding Response Fund.

“This investment is about improving education outcomes in Central Australia and giving students from remote communities the best chance of reaching their full potential,” she said.

“The quality of the boarding services students receive is critical to their success at school.”

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the funding was in addition to the $40.4m allocated to Red Centre schools under the Better, Safer Future for Central Australia plan.

“This investment in boarding facilities in Central Australia is about supporting school students in remote Northern Territory communities,” Mr Clare said.

“This funding can go towards improving existing facilities and building new facilities.”