This project was initiated and undertaken by the Accreditation and Assessment Section of the Curriculum and Assessment Branch, using funding provided by the Participation and Equity Program of the Commonwealth Schools Commission.
The main objectives of this study are four-fold. First, the educational and occupational choices of Years 10 to 12 students in the Northern Territory are examined, with special reference to the choices taken by students of Aboriginal descent. It is hoped that a clear profile of choices of Aboriginal students at senior secondary level in the mainstream high schools will emerge. Secondly, the study aims at exploring the school factors and out-of-school factors which influence students’ choices of career and participation in post-secondary education. In order to provide background information for the planning and development of the University College of the Northern Territory, the Darwin Institute of Technology and other NT post-secondary colleges, the third objective is to make explicit the demand for tertiary education in the Territory. Finally, the study intends to provide research-based information and reference for the PEP Committee of the Commonwealth Schools Commission and to create an hierarchical data base on students flowing through the Northern Territory senior secondary education.
A questionnaire was developed and 3071 students, 84.51% of the total population, from Years 10 to 12 throughout the Northern Territory were surveyed between September and October 1985. The findings of the study showed that the educational aspirations of Aboriginal students cannot be under-estimated, at least 60% intended to pursue a post-secondary course. The findings also showed a high demand for tertiary education in the Northern Territory with 2/3 of all senior secondary students surveyed aspiring for post-secondary study. A continuation of the study regarding Years 10 to 12 students is considered extremely necessary, and it is suggested that the NT Department of Education should monitor the relevance of curricula to the projected needs of the future labour market.
Excerpt from publication.
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