Miner invests in Pilbara education

Mining firm Rio Tinto has announced it will invest more than $2.5 million over three years in Aboriginal education in WA.

The extension of the partnership between the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation and Rio Tinto will help establish two new educational programs in Tom Price and Wickham.

Aboriginal primary school students at Tom Price Primary School will be able to enhance their skills and academic levels through the two-year pilot program.

School principal Lisa Ledger said there was a huge demand for the service.

“It will involve our Aboriginal students having after-school support to do their homework, it will also involve a nutrition program and a sport program as well,” she said. “I think whatever we can do to narrow the achievement gap that currently exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians… and to support the families with that is going to make a difference.”

Ms Ledger said Aboriginal families within the school had been asking for this program.

“It has been done with a lot of consultation with our community,” she said. “The numbers of Aboriginal children are growing in our school. We are one of the fastest growing Aboriginal enrolment (schools) in the Pilbara.”

In Wickham a maths and science centre for excellence will be established next year.

This program will allow the students to undertake post-secondary courses in related professional fields.

Designed to support students through a comprehensive leadership and study skill program, the Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success project consists of a series of secondary school education support projects for Aboriginal students.

Polly Farmer Foundation chief executive Neil Jarvis said last year 459 secondary school students participated in the foundation’s projects.

“The program provides Aboriginal students with a raft of opportunities to continue education, to find employment, and to step into leadership roles in their communities,” he said.

“We believe that young people going as far as possible with their education will facilitate a better life and future for themselves and their communities.”

Rio Tinto Pilbara Operations iron ore president Greg Lilleyman said the company looked forward to continuing to employ graduates from the foundation.