Aboriginal children participating in at least 600 hours of preschool before school in South Australia has grown by eight per cent, according to a Department for Education report.
The Aboriginal Education Strategy Impact Report also indicated nine Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands preschools have collectively achieved the highest four term average preschool attendance rate in five years.
The South Australian Government said an early years engagement officer has worked on the APY Lands since 2022, delivering highly engaging arts and literacy activities for families and carers, resulting in increased attendance at preschool.
South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher, said the state's Aboriginal Education Strategy "continues to make progress in improving the lives and educational outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia".
"Critical to the success of the strategy is partnering with Aboriginal organisations and communities to ensure their voices are not just heard, but they are at the decision-making table," Mr Maher said.
Additional outcomes reported on include a 10 per cent increase in Aboriginal students completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) in 2024 compared to the previous year, the number of active collaborations with Aboriginal language organisations and owners growing from six to 10 since June 2024, and the number of schools with an Aboriginal languages program increasing from 46 to 63 in 2025.
"With support from the Department for Education, Aboriginal language organisations are writing the curriculum in their own language, and Aboriginal staff are contributing to department policies," Mr Maher said.
The South Australian Government said work undertaken through the Aboriginal Education Strategy is supported by a scholarship program to strengthen the pipeline of Aboriginal teachers in public education, a workforce network to support employees and a learning module for all staff about the cultural responsive framework.
South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer, said the increased participation of Aboriginal children in preschool is a result of this Government's commitment to supporting the early years of a child's life.
"It will continue to be a key focus of the Office for Early Childhood Development in joining up our early years services with families and communities," Mr Boyer said.
The Impact Report also indicated 1264 students participated in South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) Programs and 632 in Workabout, with SAASTA expanding from 22 Academies in 2023 to 26 Academies in 2024.
"It's also pleasing to see participation rates for secondary school Aboriginal students continue to grow in the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) and Workabout programs," Mr Boyer said.
"These support Aboriginal students to pursue exciting career pathways like civil construction apprenticeships and legal studies at university."
The Government said the Aboriginal Education Strategy remains focused on ensuring Aboriginal children develop foundations for success in the early years of their education, stay engaged at school and have pathways to future training or work opportunities.
