Call for policy on Indigenous English language literacy

A stark new report that reveals many Indigenous adults in the Northern Territory lack the English language skills to function independently in the workplace has been presented to policy-makers in Canberra.

CDU researchers sourced data from multiple agencies for a statistical overview, after Indigenous leaders in six remote communities raised concerns about a lack of responsibility for policy direction in the adult English language and literacy space.

Project leader Allison Stewart said there was no comprehensive evidence base, on which to build holistic policy responses despite more than half of Indigenous people in the NT speaking English as an additional language.

“This report describes the situation in the NT as best we can,” she said. “Indigenous people make up 30 per cent of the NT population and are highly significant to economic development and cultural richness.”

Statistics expert and report co-author Fiona Shalley said more than 85 per cent of a sample group of 660 Indigenous adults did not have the literacy skills to operate independently in tertiary education or the workplace.

“This could translate into a large number across the board,” she said.

The project was driven by the findings of a Federal Government-funded Whole of Community Engagement initiative, led by CDU, at Galiwin’ku, Yirrkala, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Tennant Creek and Yuendumu.

Ms Stewart said Indigenous adults who sought post-school education success and employment opportunities, negotiated with government and business, and were caring for country, viewed the ability to communicate in English as vital.

“This was asserted alongside recognition that Indigenous languages, traditions and cultures were central; solutions must respect this position,” she said. 

The group made recommendations to the Department of Education and Training in Canberra.