A new Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce is being established as part of the Territory Government’s Smart Territory strategy.
A reference group with representatives from Charles Darwin University, local business, industry and education stakeholders will oversee the work of the Taskforce.
Education Minister Chris Burns said the Taskforce will work with schools across the Territory to focus on driving improvements in the critical areas of literacy and numeracy.
“The Territory Government is committed to delivering better learning outcomes for all our students and has a clear plan to achieve that,” Dr Burns said.
“We already know that 86 per cent of Top End students are achieving national benchmarks, but we’re determined to help our students achieve even higher results and importantly give more support to those that have fallen behind.
“Literacy and numeracy are the foundations for a strong education and this Taskforce will harness the good work that is already happening in our leading schools and replicate this across the Territory.
“The Taskforce will be led by Dr Thelma Perso, an educator with national and international credentials in education who has been working recently in Central Australia.
“Dr Perso will head up a team that will sharpen the focus of schools in improving literacy and numeracy achievements of all students across the Territory.”
The Taskforce will implement the Literacy and Numeracy strategy, which will include:
• Whole of school approaches to improving literacy and numeracy
• Consistent approaches, materials and assessments
• Early interventions for students that require more support
• Building teacher capability
• Building leadership to deliver an increased focus on numeracy and literacy
• Accountability
• Engaging parents, families and the community.
“The Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce is a key initiative of the Territory Government’s Smart Territory strategy that will deliver better learning outcomes for students in urban, regional and remote areas,” Dr Burns said.