Koorie 2000 | Wurreker

KOORIE 2000

Services for Koorie students within the schooling sector are provided through the Koorie 2000 strategy, which was launched in 1997. Koorie 2000 was developed under the Partnership in Education, and provides the framework for the delivery of Koorie Education programs in Victoria that meet State and Commonwealth priorities for Indigenous education. Key features of Koorie 2000 include:

• 8 Regional Koorie Education Committees (RKECs) with responsibility for decision making about funding and resourcing of Koorie Education programs at the local and regional level;
• The Koorie Education Development Unit (KEDU) with 16 regionally based Koorie Education Development Officers (KEDOs);
• The Koorie Open Door Education (KODE) program;
• The Koorie Educator Program; and
• The Koorie Intern Teacher Program.

A Central Implementation Committee (CIC) monitors the operation of Koorie 2000.

Regional Koorie Education Committees (RKECs)

RKECs equate to the existing VAEAI regions. Membership comprises LAECG representatives, school principals and one Regional Principal Consultant (RPC). The Chairperson for each RKEC is an LAECG representative, nominated by LAECG committee members.

The role of the RKECs includes:

• To support school communities to develop education programs through the allocation of funding and provision of educational advice;
• To assist schools in determining and locating the kind of professional and curriculum development support required; and
• To enhance professional development of Koorie and non-Koorie teachers.

Koorie Education Development Unit (KEDU)

The KEDU comprises of seven central unit officers and sixteen outposted Koorie Education Development Officers (KEDOs). The Central Unit focuses on curriculum development, professional development and the management of the sixteen KEDOs. KEDOs play an important role in the work of the RKECs.

Their role includes:

• Providing administrative support to the RKEC;
• Providing advice to schools on program development; and
• Supporting the curriculum and Professional Development function of the KEDU.

Koorie Educator Program

Fifty-six (eft) Koorie Educator positions are located at schools with a high number of Indigenous enrollments. Koorie Educators are employed to provide support to Koorie students.

The key roles of Koorie Educators are to:

• Assist Koorie students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas,
• Assist with the communication between Koorie students and teachers,
• Assist with the liaison and communication between parents of Koorie students, teachers, other staff and members of the wider school community,
• Assist in the exchange of information between the Koorie community and the school,
• Receive client enquiries and provide direction and advice, and
• Provide straightforward information to clients in line with school policy and procedures.

Koorie Intern Teacher Program

The Koorie Intern Teacher Program was established in partnership between the VAEAI, the then Victorian Ministry of Education and the Institute of Koorie Education at Deakin University. The program was set up as a career path for Koorie Educators, and is a Primary Teacher education program within the Deakin University Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree program.

The Koorie Education Unit funds the wages of students under a scholarship arrangement. To date twenty-nine teachers have graduated from the program, and twenty of these are currently teaching in Victorian schools. The final intake of Koorie participants are being supported to complete their training as teachers at Deakin University.