The Finocchiaro CLP Government is continuing to clean up Labor's education mess in its year of action, certainty and security, announcing a strong line-up of keynote speakers for the upcoming Education Leaders' Summit - experts in explicit teaching of literacy and numeracy.
The Education Leaders' Summit is the Department of Education and Training's premier professional learning event. Held over two days from 13-14 August, it brings together NT Government school principals, senior leaders from non-government schools, early childhood educators and corporate leaders.
This year's program will focus on the evidence-based teaching of reading and mathematics, featuring specialists in explicit instruction alongside a globally recognised leadership expert:
Dr Jordana Hunter - Education Program Director at Grattan Institute, with deep expertise in education reform and public policy, particularly quality teaching and evidence-based literacy and numeracy instruction.Toni Hatten-Roberts - A national leader in the Science of Learning and, explicit instruction, specialising in curriculum development and instructional design. Toni was named Schools Plus Teacher of the Year Award in 2022 Teaching Fellows awards.Matt Church - An award-winning leadership expert named both Australian Speaker of the Year and Australian Educator of the Year.
This year's theme 'Leading Learning for Impact', supports the CLP Government's priority to get schools back to basics here and boost academic outcomes across the Territory.
Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said the Summit would help equip schools with tools to implement the CLP's Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Plan.
"For our kids to get the jobs of the future and be competitive, we must lift academic results." Minister Hersey said.
"We are focused on improving literacy and numeracy and getting Territory schools back to basics.
"Our keynote speakers bring the experience and expertise to support schools in delivering high-quality, explicit instruction that works."
Launched in June 2025, the Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Plan, will ensure all NT Government schools adopt a consistent, evidence-based approach to teaching reading and mathematics from 2026.
"The evidence is clear - explicit teaching works. From next year, every NT Government
school will adopt this approach because our kids deserve the best start in life," Minister
Hersey said.
"This is about delivering results, not excuses. Under Labor, school attendance collapsed
and outcomes flatlined.
"We're turning that around by getting kids back in the classroom with our School Attendance Officers, and giving teachers the tools that actually make a difference."
