This paper was presented as a talk to the Australian Education Union Federal Executive meeting in Melbourne in September 2007 by Bob Harris from Education International and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD. It contains comparisons to countries with standardized curriculum and national testing policies.

This report highlights the significant levels of under-resourcing of the Northern Territory Education system and the impacts that this has on the ability of Indigenous people to access high quality public education. Education is the Key calculates as many as 7500 Indigenous children are missing out on preschool or school, and up to 5000 potential...

Around half of Australia's Indigenous children are not enrolled in preschool education. This briefing paper recommends that two years of free, high quality and culturally appropriate preschool education should be made a priority for all Indigenous children.