The AEC is a community organisation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The AEC initiates and supports educational programs which contribute to achieving its vision. The AEC also informs the wider community about the difficulties confronting Aboriginal people today.
Many young Aboriginal people start school at a great disadvantage. This leads to loss of motivation and they leave school without the necessary education to compete in the wider community.
Since 1963, the AEC has been in the forefront of Aboriginal education through pioneering many initiatives, establishing innovative pilot projects, assisting in promoting further development of specialist educational-opportunities, and encouraging governments to provide programs and support which enable successful educational outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Achievements of the AEC include:
- Administering scholarships and bequests such as the Norman Catts Trust and the Ken Brindle Memorial Scholarships.
- Introducing the Incentive Secondary Scholarship Scheme (forerunner for ABSTUDY).
- Establishing the Compensatory Assistance Scheme, providing equipment and resources to schools, (now funded by Commonwealth government’s Disadvantaged Schools Program and Country Area Program).
- Funding Aboriginal Teacher Aide positions (predecessor of NSW government’s Aboriginal Teaching Assistance Scheme).
- Supporting pilot projects to develop processes for improving early education of Aboriginal students.
- Introduction of Secondary Scholarships for Years 8 and 9 to encourage continuing education and Year 6 scholarships (selected by Superintendents of NSW DET).
If you have any questions or feedback for the AEC please contact us.