Remote schools program | NTEC

Remote schools program

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission has an education program specifically for Aboriginal students in remote schools. This program uses English as a second language (ESL) teaching techniques including simple and relevant visuals, known identities and hands-on learning activities to develop an understanding of the following key areas of the upper primary and middle years curriculum for Civics and Citizenship:

  • The key values that underpin Australia's democracy - meaning of democracy.
  • The key features of the electoral process in Australia – secret ballot, compulsory voting, elections that are open, free and fair, who has right to vote and stand for election.
  • The roles and responsibilities of Australia’s three levels of government.
  • Responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia’s democracy.
  • How citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy – use of electoral system, contact with elected representatives.

The program includes a mock election and vote counting exercise. It is suitable for upper primary, middle and senior students and delivery is tailored accordingly.

Program delivery options

The remote schools program is flexible and can be delivered in a number of ways:

  • One of our educators can visit your school to deliver the program in person.
  • If your class or school is planning a visit to Darwin or Alice Springs, we can deliver the program in person as part of that visit.
  • We can deliver the mock election and vote counting exercise via Skype (using Department of Education Skype facilities).
  • Teachers can deliver the program directly using a kit of resources we can post to you.
  • Teachers can deliver the program directly using the resources provided below.

Joint program with Parliamentary Education Services

We work closely with Parliamentary Education Services and can conduct joint outreach visits to remote schools to deliver programs.

If you are planning a class or school visit to Darwin, you may like to include a visit to Parliament House and we can arrange to include our remote schools voting program.

Resources

Activities

Ballot papers

Instructions for teachers

Maps

PowerPoint presentations

For more information, please contact our Education and Engagement Officer, Karen Parker, on 8999 7634. Alternatively you can email Karen at ntec@nt.gov.au.

Education