Katu Kalpa: Report on the Inquiry into the Effectiveness of Education and Training Programs for Indigenous Australians.

An inquiry into Indigenous education by an Australian Senate committee examined government reports produced in 1989-99 and conducted school site visits and public hearings. During the inquiry, it became clear that educational equity for Indigenous people had not been achieved, and Indigenous participation and achievement rates lagged behind those of the non-Indigenous population in most sectors. Much of the inquiry focused on rural and remote regions, where Indigenous people have limited access to education. Chapter 1 of this report provides an overview of Indigenous educational policies, historical context, issues of self-determination and community control of schools, and educational funding. Other chapters discuss the evolution of a national Indigenous education policy; social and community issues (poverty, kinship, cultural differences, child rearing, attitudes toward schooling and work, low school attendance, racism, alcoholism, family problems, crime and imprisonment); curriculum issues (inclusion of Aboriginal culture and language, status of Aboriginal English, "two-way" education, mainstream educational reforms, use of technology); literacy education, bilingual education, and the teaching of Aboriginal languages; teacher education (lack of Indigenous teachers and staff, community-based teacher training, rural recruitment and retention, salaries, teaching conditions, specific training for teaching Indigenous students); postsecondary education (vocational education and training, adult education, higher education); impact of health on education (inadequate health care, Indigenous health problems, otitis media, community health education, malnutrition); and cultural diversity and differences in educational needs across remote, rural, and urban areas. Recommendations are presented in each chapter. Appendices list goals of the Aboriginal Education Policy, submissions received, witnesses at public hearings, site visits, and acronyms. (SV)