Education

Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc. (ARDS) has been involved at the coalface of community education with the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land over the past 30 years. In this time ARDS educators have developed a unique and highly effective educational methodology that enables the transfer of knowledge covering a comprehensive range of often complex subject areas. This education is delivered on a Fee for Service Basis through government and private funding, as well as charitable donations. The key components that have lead to the success of this education are:

• that all educational sessions are conducted in the language of the Yolngu people (Yolngu Matha)
• the education incorporates the people's own experiences, knowledge and worldview.

Using this methodology, ARDS educators have developed comprehensive educational material covering health, law, economics/commerce and governance issues. This includes being able to explain almost any disease or health condition, economic and business development, as well as legal issues, through to an understanding of constitutional law.

ARDS educational material differs significantly from much of the current mainstream educational material aimed at Yolngu people, in that it first concentrates on addressing the knowledge gaps and associated confusion that the people have about each subject. ARDS believes that thorough analysis of the people's understanding of a subject is vital if the educational programs developed are to effectively answer the questions the people have.

After extensive research we have concluded that the best way to deliver this information to the people in language where they live is through a combination of appropriate media services as depicted above:

While each of these provides a stand alone method for education delivery, they are also part of a complete and inter-linked strategy for the delivery of comprehensive, contemporary and cutting edge educational services to Yolngu.