An innovative teaching program running in remote schools to improve Indigenous literacy rates will be extended and paid for by our plan for a stronger economy.
The Morrison Government will provide a further $2.8 million to extend the Flexible Literacy for Remote Primary Schools Program pilot by a further 12 months.
More than 2,000 Indigenous students attending 16 primary schools in remote Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia are being taught though the Flexible Literacy program.
The program uses innovative teaching methods to improve literacy results.
In 2017, only 62.1 per cent of Year 3 students and 52.7 per cent of Year 5 students in very remote schools met the national minimum standard in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) reading assessment.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said our Government was working on closing the gap in educational outcomes for Indigenous school students.
"Our Government has provided more than $30 million towards the Flexible Literacy for Remote Primary Schools Program pilot to help improve Indigenous literacy and close the gap," Mr Tehan said.
"An evaluation of Flexible Literacy from June 2018 found some strong results, in particular positive outcomes in NAPLAN spelling scores.
"The Morrison Government believes in the power of education, that every Australian should have the opportunity to reach their potential and that teachers should have the tools to help their students succeed.
"And with over 1.1 million jobs created over the past five years and continued strong economic growth, the Morrison Government can afford to pay for these essential education services that all Australians rely on."
