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• Kimberley schools below national average in literacy and numeracy

KLC Media Release, January 28, 2010

Kimberley Land Council Director Wayne Bergmann says he is horrified new statistics reveal Kimberley schools are at standards well below the national average.

The Federal Government’s school report card, released today, shows the overwhelming majority of schools across the Kimberley, are well below national averages in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy.

“These statistics are absolutely appalling,’’ Mr Bergmann said.

“Do these statistics shock you? No, because most people expect Aboriginal students in remote areas to have poor literacy and numeracy levels.

“All children deserve the same opportunities when it comes to schooling. Why should Aboriginal kids miss out?

“These statistics show that the State Government is failing Aboriginal children in the Kimberley. We have been trying to convince the WA Education Department to support our education projects and to work with us, but our calls have been ignored.

“This report gives irrefutable evidence that the bureaucrats of this system need to pull their finger out and work in partnership with the Kimberley Land Council.’’

Mr Bergmann said the KLC had been providing solutions to improve Indigenous education including the Reading Recovery program, which involves Grade 2 students spending 30 minutes of one-on-one time with a mentor for 12-20 weeks.

“We need to look at what is already working. The results of the Reading Recovery program show how successful it has been.

“Grade 2 students entering the program could not read or write. After completing the program they could read and write at the level of a Grade 3 student. That is an extraordinary result,” he said.

“The Kimberley Land Council has been driving educational change in the Kimberley. Reading Recovery is just one of the initiatives we have been advocating for. Let’s take action now, so our children are given a chance.’’