Essay On Aboriginal Education

Education and Australian Aboriginals Nelson Mandela once stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which [one] can use to change the world.” Mandela, a former South African president and philanthropist, could not understate the importance of education. Denying a group of people proper education can have powerful effects on their future. In Australia, the term Aboriginal traditionally refers to those who were indigenous to the continent. Aboriginal people face challenges getting fair treatment, which includes a quality education. The lack of adequate education is not only a stark difference in comparison to the other children in Australia, but it also creates problems for the future. Improving the quality of education for Aboriginals in Australia would also improve many other aspects of their life. The problem of inadequate education for Australian Aboriginals cannot be traced back to one source. Instead, there
It is well-established that a quality education can lead to positive effects in an individual’s employment, income, and health. On the contrary, a poor education can lead to unsteady employment, low income, and poor health (“Statistical Overview”). Many Aboriginal individuals are confined to a low-skill job due to poor or incomplete education. The rate of full-time employment for people with a Year 12 certificate is four times as high than people who left school before completing Year 9. This means many Aboriginal individuals are likely to be unemployed or working part time, which leads to a substantially lower income. The average weekly income for individuals who completed Year 12 is $620; people who left school before completing Year 9 have an average weekly income of $405 (“Statistical Overview”). Since many Aboriginals leave school before completing Year 12, they face a significant disadvantage entering the workforce and earning a livable