Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians - myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians for Education. Answer: Introduction Over the past years, the gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities in Australia has been widening significantly. By and large, studies indicate that indigenous Australians are significantly disadvantaged as compared to the non-indigenous populace (Koziol, 2016). Currently, the main areas of concern with the highest gaps include education, training and health (ABS, 2011). Research shows that indigenous Australians have generally low education levels as well as health outcomes (Gordon Hunter, 2016). For this reason, the Australian government has taken a keen interest on the issue and is working towards the narrowing and closing of the existing gaps between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the country. Importance of Closing the Gaps in Australia Narrowing the gap between the two communities would not only be beneficial locally for indigenous people but will also be vastly beneficial nationally with regard to economic and social improvements (Gooda Huggins, 2016). One major importance of narrowing the health disparity between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities is to ensure health equality among the people of Australia. It is worth pointing out that poor health among the Aboriginal people is very evident. A 2008-2012 study indicates that the infant mortality rate among the indigenous population was almost double that of the non-indigenous communities (Australians Together, n.d.). Generally, the report suggests that native communities have a lower life expectancy than the non-indigenous population (ABS, 2011). Further statistics reveal that native communities suffer from higher death rates than the non-native ones for all major causes of death (Australians Together, n.d.). What is more, the study reveals that the in digenous people have higher chances of suffering from mental health, suicidal cases and self harm (Little, 2016). For this reason, closing the gap will help reduce the disparity between the two Australian communities. In turn, it will create a situation of health equality whereby both the non-indigenous and native Australians have a high life expectancy rates, low infant mortality rates as well as long term health and well being. It would result in a healthy Australian population with generally high life expectancy levels and wellbeing. In the same way, it is important for the government to close the education and training gap between the two groups in the country in order to achieve social and economic progress at the national level. According to the western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey, education is a vital means through which individuals can achieve their full potential (Krishnan, 2015). Notably, possessing a good education can significantly influence an individuals job prospects. In addition, it acts as a booster and elevator in support of a persons cultural and economic life. Furthermore, educational attainment and participation in education is a life changing factor that positively influences the social well being for all Australians. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that the indigenous population is characterized by lower levels of education as compared to the non-indigenous Australians. As a result, there is a large disparity between non-indigenous and indigenous education and training in the country. In effect, the level of unemployment among the indigenous population is significantly higher compared to the non-native populace. As at 2012, the level of unemployment among the indigenous people was approximately five times higher than that of other Australians. Mainly, this can be attributed to their low levels of education and training, making it difficult to secure decent employment opportunities within the country. In this regard, it is vital for the Australian government to close the education and training gap between the two group communities to ensure uniformity and equality in employment. Evidence and Implications of Closing the Gap It is worth pointing out that equality in health, education and training opportunities is a path towards an overall improvement in the social and economic welfare of the Australian economy. According to economic theory, there is a significant correlation between the health status, education and training of the population, and the economic prosperity of any economy (Australian Government, 2011). Likewise, educational attainment is viewed as being collated with a number of indicators of social wellbeing (Australian Government, 2011). For this reason, raising the health status and education level of the non-indigenous Australians will significantly boost the performance of the Australian economy. To achieve this goal, the government, through the Close the Gap Campaign has set up various measures to ensure the improvement of health outcomes among the indigenous Australian people. Mainly, it has set measures to improve the access to, and delivery of, effective primary healthcare to these communities (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2017). Today, it is working towards enhancing community primary healthcare services (Australian Government, 2008). It has increased its funding to these aboriginal communities in order to increase the number of health facilities within their reach. Furthermore, the government has ensured an increase in the level of health training and awareness to improve the health outcomes of individuals in indigenous communities. As noted earlier, education is significantly correlated to the improvement of a communitys wellness. Theories also suggest that human capital advancement through education is fundamental to economic development. Therefore, the government has focused on improving the access and delivery of education and training to the indigenous population in the country. Currently, it is working towards a responsive schooling that stresses on student literacy and numeracy achievements. It has also invested in transition mechanisms from schooling and into work through post school education and training. In turn, this is expected to improve the social and economic standards of the indigenous Australian, thereby significantly narrowing the gap between them and the non-aboriginal population. Conclusion All in all, all things considered, the indigenous Australian population is significantly disadvantaged as compared to the non-indigenous people. Mainly, the aboriginal communities suffer from poor health outcomes, low education and training. With respect to health outcomes, they face challenges such as low life expectancy, high infant mortality and significantly high death rates. On the other hand, with regard to education, they are characterized by low education which acts as a disadvantage in finding employment opportunities. In turn, this has rendered them both socially and economically inferior to the non-indigenous communities in the country. For this reason, the government has initiated mechanism that works towards the closing of the gap between the aboriginal populace and non-indigenous communities in the country. Mainly, one attributes the governments move to economic theory which suggests that there is a positive relationship between a healthy and educated population and the social and economic status of a nation. In turn, the success of these measures will have the implication of improving the overall well-being of the people of Australia in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. References Close the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign. (2017). Australian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/projects/close-gap-indigenous-health. Education and Indigenous Wellbeing. (2011). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features50Mar+2011 First Steps in Closing the Gap. (2008). Australians Government. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.budget.gov.au/2008-09/content/ministerial_statements/html/indigenous-03.htm Gooda, M., Huggins, J. (2016). Our national shame: Closing the gap for Indigenous Australians is more important than. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.smh.com.au/comment/our-national-shame-closing-the-gap-for-indigenous-australians-is-more-important-than-ever-20160316-gnkquf.html. Gordon, M., Hunter, F. (2016). Australia failing to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-failing-to-close-the-gap-between-indigenous-and-nonindigenous-people-20160209-gmq15x.html. Koziol, M. (2016). The real gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health in Australia: it's worse than you think. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-real-gap-between-indigenous-and-nonindigenous-health-in-australia-its-worse-than-you-think-20160925-groai2.html Krishnan, S. (2015). Closing the gap in Indigenous Education. SAP. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://blogs.sap.com/2015/10/15/closing-the-gap-in-indigenous-education/ Liittle, J. (2016). Closing the gap on Indigenous mental health. Sane Australia. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://www.sane.org/the-sane-blog/wellbeing/closing-the-gap-on-indigenous-mental-health. The Gap: Indigenous Disadvantage in Australia. Australians Together. Retrieved on 12 Nov. 2017, from https://australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/the-gap-indigenous-disadvantage-in-australia