PRESS RELEASE: No more St Kevin’s like scenarios can be tolerated– we need a National Indigenous Cultural Boarding Standard to keep students safe

Anybody who believed that the predatory and unacceptable practices uncovered by the recent Royal Commission were simply “historical” in nature were simply mistaken. However, St Kevin’s proves that these practices are entrenched and current in some institutional cultures. This nation’s children are still not safe.

“If we are serious about keeping kids from remote communities safe, we need to have a national Indigenous Cultural Boarding Standard,” states Anthony Bennett, Chairperson of Indigenous Education & Boarding Australia (IEBA).

‘It is hard to believe that in 2020 there are no specific standards to keep Indigenous boarding students safe. This is despite the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and recommendations by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs.’

How do parents know that the school, teachers, boarding staff are going to look after their children professionally, keep them safe, look after their health, respect their culture and provide them with the education to meet their child’s needs?

‘For children in boarding parents would expect that there are standards to care for their health and well-being, to support their specific learning needs, to communicate with families and very importantly, to recognise their cultural needs’ states Mr Bennett.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are placing their trust in organisations and other people to care for their children. These students are among the most vulnerable. English is often not their first language. Big cities are foreign places. They have no voice against authority. They often present with trauma and highly complex needs.

The evidence to date suggests that if organisations are not culturally intelligent and don’t provide genuinely safe environments for Indigenous students, family are far more likely to remove their children from those educational settings and the student will not be able to take advantage of the educational opportunity offered in a boarding setting. However, if students are culturally strong, it follows that academic outcomes will be enhanced.

IEBA has committed to lead the development of a National Indigenous Cultural Boarding Standard starting at the 2020 National Indigenous Education and Boarding Symposium in Geelong, Vic, from 17-19 March (www.ieba.com.au). IEBA believes the Standard will provide guidance and require boarding schools and residences to demonstrate safe and positive outcomes for students, give confidence to families their children are being supported and provide assurance government and industry stakeholders.END

Indigenous Education & Boarding Australia was launched as the trading name of Boarding Australia in March 2019 to support Indigenous students in boarding. Our vision is that all Indigenous students attain educational outcomes that enable them to be successful in their future choices.
For further information or interviews please contact:
Anthony Bennett, Chairperson – M: 0401 123 192 E: [email protected]
Greg Franks, CEO – M: 0426 629 847 E: [email protected]