More to be done to help address student disengagement and access to education in Australia
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Australians have identified access to education (25%), mental health support (23%) and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle (18%) as the most important youth-related issues that need addressing in local communities, according to new research from St.George Foundation.
Data shows a quarter (25%) of Australian students are reported to be disengaged at school, and St.George Foundation’s research highlights a significant proportion of Australians are concerned this will lead to longer-term impacts including unemployment (76%), higher school dropout rates (71%), involvement in criminal activity (68%) and risky health behaviours (57%).
While almost all respondents (92%) agreed parents and families were responsible for addressing youth-related issues in the community, over a quarter (28%) believed not-for-profit organisations and charities in Australia could be doing more.
St.George Foundation has awarded Australian children’s charity, Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW with an Inspire Grant of $575,204 to fund a program to give young people the opportunity to explore their strengths, participate in experiential learning activities and develop emotional intelligence skills preparing them for school re-engagement.
The Inspire Grant is awarded to one eligible children’s charity each year for the purpose of providing innovative interventions that will change the course of a child’s life and inspire their future prosperity through access to education.
Vanessa Barry, Chief Executive of St.George Foundation said “every child should be afforded the opportunity to be educated in a supportive and safe environment, and this is fundamental to ensuring their future development and success.”
According to the research, Australians are twice as likely to think access to education (25%) is more important than reducing crime (12%) in the community.
Vanessa continued, “Disengagement can often have detrimental long-term impacts, so offering alternative pathways to education is an important first step to ensuring no child faces a disadvantage when it comes to their education, providing all children the opportunity to learn and develop.
“We are delighted to be able to support PCYC NSW’s innovative concept in such a meaningful way, through the St.George Foundation Inspire Grant,” she said.
Dominic Teakle, CEO of PCYC NSW said “we are extremely grateful to be the recipient of the Inspire Grant from St.George Foundation, which will support the rollout of 23 Fit to Learn programs across NSW, providing more than 400 students with alternative pathways or new opportunities in their education.”
“Fit to Learn is one of eight Police Programs run in partnership between NSW police, PCYC and NSW schools, designed to engage young people and enable them to make positive life choices. The unique difference of Fit to Learn is it provides Police Officers as mentors, helping young people to develop skills and values of resilience, commitment and respect,” Dominic said.
Since 1990, St.George Foundation has partnered with over 800 community organisations and invested more than $30 million to positively impact the lives of thousands of children experiencing disadvantage in Australia.
Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.
