Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Transformations in Indigenous higher education

By Joe Lane - posted Wednesday, 9 December 2009


There are now around 25,000 Indigenous graduates across the country. Almost two-thirds are female. Close to 6,000 are teachers. There are now very few fields in which Indigenous people have not graduated - yet.

Conclusion

Clearly, tertiary study has been an amazing success story for Indigenous people in Australia, thanks particularly to the courage and dedication of Indigenous women. Student support services have made all the difference over the past 30 years, boosting Indigenous graduate numbers - and people’s careers - from a few hundred to tens of thousands.

However, for a large section of the Indigenous population, tertiary study is becoming more inaccessible, as lower-level awards are phased out and support staff are co-opted into the teaching of Indigenous Studies to non-Indigenous students. Indigenous people in welfare environments, with relatively poor education and/or remote from tertiary education centres, are being progressively shut out from participation, just at a time when lifelong welfare is being questioned as an option. Support services at universities will have to be re-constituted if all Indigenous people are to have the opportunities that are now available for the urban student population who matriculate.

Advertisement

Given their low economies of scale, Indigenous communities desperately need huge numbers of skilled personnel, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in all trades and professions. Indigenous people in remote communities desperately need the opportunities to gain the skills that might help them participate in the Australian economy and to contribute to Australian life. Tertiary education has to be one option among many, and pathways must be re-initiated to make all of those options possible. Student support services must be strengthened at universities, and kept independent of teaching schools, to give the next generation opportunities that the past generation has used so effectively.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

11 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Joe Lane is an independent researcher with a long-standing passion for Indigenous involvement at universities and its potential for liberation. Originally from Sydney, he worked in Indigenous tertiary support systems from 1981 until the mid-90s and gained lifelong inspiration from his late wife Maria, a noted leader in SA Indigenous education.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Joe Lane

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 11 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy