First Nations children in Queensland face numerous and significant challenges in the education system that impede their academic success and overall well-being. These challenges are rooted in historical and systemic inequities, including socio-economic disadvantages, cultural disconnection, and insufficient support for maintaining their languages and traditions.
Despite various policy efforts and programs aimed at closing the educational gap, First Nations children continue to experience lower school attendance and completion rates, as well as poorer academic outcomes compared to their non-Indigenous peers. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic and culturally responsive approach that respects and integrates First Nations knowledge and practices within the educational framework.
This report has been funded by the Department of Education to hear the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families on the potential establishment of a Queensland Early childhood education, Education and Training Consultative Body (Consultative Body) as a step to address these challenges. Critical to any commitments going forward is ensuring that Close the Gap education targets are embedded in the work a Consultative Body.
As part of this consultation, we engaged 19 organisations, including First Nations Community Controlled organisations that deliver programs to children and families, First Nations early education providers, First Nations businesses, school-based education providers and mainstream non-Government agencies. This model empowered local communities to lead engagements with children, young people and families. These partners engaged more than 800 participants, whose views informed the report.
The QFCC received ethics approval from Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/24/QCHQ/105338) and met the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023).