Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014

Governments across Australia recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Australians with one of the oldest continuing cultures in human history. They affirm the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to sustain their languages and cultures and acknowledge associations with the land and water. Governments have agreed to take urgent action to close the gap between the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. To drive action, the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers have agreed through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to six ambitious targets. Towards education, the COAG states three goals : access to early childhood education within five years (by 2013); halve the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade (by 2018); at least halve the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12. The COAG also requires the same opportunities in terms of employment.