EEAI resources for parents, schools and providers
Education Engagement and Attainment Initiatives (EEAI)
EEAI overview
The EEAI has been developed by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and is delivered at 84 schools by 33 EEAI Providers. Each EEAI Provider is funded under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) via grants, to design and deliver the program to First Nations communities with high education needs.
Aim
EEAI Providers work with schools and local First Nations communities to help design supports and activities to improve First Nations students’ access to schooling, school attendance, engagement in education and learning outcomes.
Objectives
- Design and deliver culturally responsive and diverse learning strategies and activities that support the specific needs and experiences of students
- Connect schools with students’ families and communities, to overcome challenges in accessing and engaging with education and provide educational opportunities
- Support students’ connections to culture and their community
- Provide support and activities which contribute towards the positive social and emotional wellbeing of students.
Why engagement matters
Children thrive with holistic support systems. For First Nations children and youth, connection to their cultures and communities play an important role in their identity, confidence and engagement with schooling. When First Nations children and youth are supported to learn and practice their cultures while also engaging with their schooling, they have access to greater opportunities, more positive experiences and can experience better life outcomes.
The EEAI supports school engagement and re-engagement for students by bringing together their family support systems and teachers from their schools to design supports and activities that are inclusive and responsive to their specific needs and situations.
This student-centred and relationship focused approach, strengthens their wellbeing, reduces inequity, and empowers youth to be a part of decisions and approaches to their learning and their future education and career pathways.
Key principles for EEAI providers
- Community-led
Local First Nations people guide the design and decision‑making for EEAI activities and supports. - Community-Involved
Communities are included in the delivery of EEAI activities and supports and are supported to provide ongoing input and feedback. - School Engagement
Schools are involved and any school‑based EEAI activities are supported and approved by principals. - Strengths-Based
First Nations perspectives, needs and cultures are valued and centred in EEAI activities and supports. - Coordination, Not Duplication
Activities complement existing services and do not replicate or replace them. - Flexibility
EEAI activities adapt to any changes to student and community needs and experiences, and activities can be delivered inside or outside school hours, terms and learning and engagement requirements.
Link to Education Outcomes
Activities clearly contribute to improved student engagement, wellbeing and show improvements to learning outcomes for students.
EEAI stories of impact
Case studies
- Ngala Community Services: Working with the Youth Network Group and Youth Advisory Committee
- Ngala Community Services: Bush classrooms
- Ngala Community Services: Insights from Nanna Kay Mongoo
- Thamarrurr Indigenous Youth Corporation: Community-led support
- Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation: Kalkaringi
Resources
Frequently asked questions
The EEAI helps First Nations children and youth to achieve better learning outcomes. EEAI Providers are funded by government grants to work with students, parents, carers, families, communities, and schools.
EEAI providers work with First Nations children and their families, communities and schools to develop learning activities to help children to engage in school and improve their learning. Activity examples can include:
- Organising culture and language activities on Country
- Working with schools to offer extra help with students’ learning needs
- Visiting families at home to talk and learn about what their children need to attend school and do well with their learning
- Meeting with teachers and principals to talk about learning needs and extra learning activities
- After-school and holiday programs
- Support with transitioning to boarding school.
EEAI providers talk to and listen to communities to learn about the experiences and needs of their children, to improve their learning outcomes. They work with community to create activities and offer help that meets the different needs of each student. EEAI Providers build relationships with students and their communities and talk regularly about how students are going at school and any changes or extra help that might be needed to improve their learning.
You can find your local EEAI Provider in the tables on the EEAI page.
If you need more help, you can contact your local NIAA office.
Students do not have to attend all EEAI activities. The EEAI has been created to help students achieve better learning outcomes. When students attend EEAI activities more often, they can create friendships, learn and share their cultures and language, and access extra help with their learning at school.
There is no cost for students or their families to attend EEAI activities. The EEAI providers are funded by the Australian Government via grants to work with local communities and schools.
Attendance at school is important, but attending school does not always mean that students are achieving good learning outcomes. The EEAI helps First Nations children to do better at school by focusing on their engagement with their learning. The EEAI does this by offering help with school attendance and learning, and by offering extra learning activities.
If EEAI is delivered in your community, you can share your feedback with your local EEAI provider. If you need more help or would like to take your feedback or concern further, you can contact your local NIAA office on 1800 079 098 or email EEAI@niaa.gov.au.
Contacts
A list of EEAI providers can be found on the Education Engagement and Attainment Initiatives (EEAI) page.
You can also contact the NIAA Helpline on 1800 079 098 or find your nearest NIAA office.