Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, many from rural and remote communities across Australia, have graduated from Year 12 with the help of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP). 

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett today congratulated more than 60 students from the IYLP program, who travelled to Canberra with their parents and Program Partnership Brokers to meet the Minister at Parliament House.

“This year’s program has had a 99 per cent success rate, with 88 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students completing year 12 in 2011,” Mr Garrett said. 

“These young Australians are to be commended for their hard work and dedication, and I look forward to hearing of their successes in the coming months and years.     

“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in the history of Indigenous education as these students have officially shown that inequality can and is being broken down.”

The Australian Government’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program supported 523 secondary school students at 70 schools across Australia in 2011, mainly from remote areas. This is up from 358 secondary school students participating in the 2010 program from 60 schools across Australia.

Mr Garrett said the program is growing quickly and will support more than 800 students in 2012, through the provision of education scholarships valued at up to $16 500 per annum towards education costs and leadership development for each student. 

“The program ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have access to a good education, which will enable them to become leaders within their communities and take control of their own destinies,” Mr Garrett said.

“Today’s announcement shows the Australian target to halve the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in year 12 attainment, or equivalent attainment rates by 2020, is attainable.”

For more information about the IYLP, visit: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Schooling/Programs/IYLP/Pages/IYLP.aspx