Standing Committee on Education and Training

Inquiry into the education of boys
Media release, 3 May 2002

Northern Territory teachers and students talk about boys' education

Boys are often blamed for disruptive behaviour or having a bad attitude. Some have low self-esteem, difficulty communicating with others and display problems at school. Some boys are experiencing learning difficulties and the literacy gap between boys and girls is increasing.

So, what is the problem facing boys and what can be done to help?

On Thursday and Friday, 9 and 10 May, the House of Representatives Education Committee will conduct a school visit and public hearings in Darwin.

The Committee will talk to school principals and teachers and people from the Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training. Topics include the effectiveness of boys' education and gender equity strategies which are being used in Northern Territory schools, the nature and extent of boys' educational problems, and what can be done to improve boy's desire to learn and improve their school retention rate.

Thursday 9/5/2002 - Public hearings:

• 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Lichfield Room, Parliament House, Darwin
  

Friday 10/5/2002 - Public hearings:

• 9:45 am - 11:45 am
  Palmerston High School (incl. school forum), Tilston Avenue, Palmerston, NT

Background: The House Education Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the education of boys, focussing on social, cultural and educational factors.

House Education Committee Chair, Mr Kerry Bartlett, says that the issues for boys in education appear to be particularly acute for Indigenous boys.

"The Committee wants to understand more about the particular factors which combine to limit the educational opportunity and achievement of Indigenous boys." Mr Bartlett said.

"While the Committee will certainly be interested in the wider issues of boys' educational participation and achievement, a particular focus of the hearings in Darwin will be on effective strategies for promoting the educational participation, achievement and school retention of Indigenous boys. Indigenous boys and girls have lower rates of participation and success than non-Indigenous students. We will be seeking a clearer understanding of which factors are behind this, why they seem to impact most severely on Indigenous boys and what can be done to improve their educational outcomes."

For more details on the Darwin school visit and public hearings, as well as background information on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt

For media comment contact Mr Kerry Bartlett, MP, Chair of the House Education Committee, on (02) 4751 7494

For background information contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 2121.

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