Fed: Indigenous kids need free pre-school: Save the Children

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2009
Fed: Indigenous kids need free pre-school: Save the Children

CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - All indigenous children should have access to free pre-school
education to help close the literacy and numeracy gap, says Save the Children Australia.

Suzanne Dvorak, the group's Chief Executive, said only 79 per cent of indigenous students
living in cities achieved the minimum Year three reading standard in 2008.

That's 13 per cent less than non-indigenous students.

"Significantly less indigenous students compared to non-indigenous students in all
year levels achieved the national minimum standards for reading, writing and numeracy
in 2008," said Ms Dvorak.

"In particular, school children in remote areas face even greater difficulties reaching
the minimum education standards."

Ms Dvorak urged the agreement of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to ensure
all indigenous four-years-olds in remote communities had access to early childhood education
within five years. It should be extended to all communities, she added.

"We would urge Federal and State Governments to introduce cost-free, accessible early
education to all Indigenous communities as soon as possible," Ms Dvorak said.

AAP sjc/ca/maur

KEYWORD: INDIGENOUS PRESCHOOL

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