How a Weetbix-devouring pig is helping to close the Indigenous literacy gap
The literacy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous children is “large and persistent” and varies depending on remoteness. According to NAPLAN results last year, only 35% of Indigenous year 5 children in remote Northern Territory met minimum standards for reading and writing, compared to 90% of non-Indigenous students living in major cities.
Beloved children’s author and Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) Ambassador Alison Lester says that NGO’s like the ILF have been more successful than government agencies in working towards closing the literacy gap. As part of Indigenous Literacy Day, she’ll launch nine new books written and illustrated by Binjari women in their first language of Kriol at the Sydney Opera House. Among them is Molly det Bigibigi (Molly the Pig) about a Weetbix-eating pig.
Visit the ILF’s website to find out more about their work, and to take part in their fundraising efforts.
(Image credit: Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
