Education In Rural Australia
Posted by Naomi Godden, On Line Opinion, 27 May 2008
Remote, rural and regional Australians experience human rights concerns accessing quality education. Rural participation, retention and achievement in education are far below urban Australia. Yet education is the pathway to opportunity and productivity for disadvantaged people and communities.
A collaborative proposal was developed by ten members of the Rural Industries and Rural Communities stream at the Australia 2020 Summit. It collates ideas from the summit, and demands that education is prioritised for rural revitalisation, sustainability and productivity. The proposal ensures that all rural Australians can access their human right to education, and promotes rural social inclusion.
The following key strategies will ensure rural access to, and equity and excellence in, the Education Revolution:
A “national voice” for rural education
National rural education strategy
Flexible and online learning opportunities
Satellite Education Centres with high tech, high speed communications
Non-means tested Youth Allowance and Tertiary Access Allowance for all rural tertiary students
Commonwealth Scholarships for TAFE and other post-secondary students
Mentoring a Rural Renaissance
Funded rural work experience programs
Waive HECS-HELP debts for rural practitioners
Indigenous education
Some important rural education issues were not able to be discussed at the 2020 Summit, including: increased funding for regional universities; expanding Assistance for Isolated Children eligibility to facilitate choice in education for remote children; educating rural students with a disability; educating migrant and refugee peoples in rural communities; and access and excellence in education for rural women.
Improving rural access to quality education will improve rural socio-economic status, health and wellbeing, industries and economy, self-esteem and the capacity of rural communities to thrive. Education is integral to remote, rural and regional human rights concerns and central to rural revitalisation, sustainability and productivity. Education is the key to Rural Australia and so Australia’s future. We must work together to ensure education is accessible, equitable, and of excellent quality for all rural Australians. Our nation depends on it.
