Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students succeed in the ACT

Along with Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers from around Australia, today I released an Annual Report for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014. The report covers 2010 - the first year of a Plan that unifies all Australian governments in closing the education gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those of other backgrounds.

The report shows that the ACT performs well against other states and territories. For example, we lead the nation in retention rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from years 10-12, at 75 percent - compared with the national rate of 52.5 percent.

Closing the learning achievement gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and other students in ACT public schools is a priority of the ACT Government.

The ACT's own Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Matters Strategic Plan 2010-2013, launched in 2010 provides the performance measures and key actions required to meet the educational needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, their families and communities.

I am confident that through the national Action Plan, and the ACT Strategic Plan, we will realise our goals.

The ACT Strategic Plan is available from the Education and Training Directorate website www.det.act.gov.au