The project comprises two facets. A preliminary piece of research aims to capture baseline East African-Australian parental understandings of the Australian education system and their roles/expectations in supporting their children, and their current capacities to assist with their children’s education. The research will provide unique insights for government agencies and academics alike, into the educational understandings, capacities and needs of East-African families with children who are at-risk for school disengagement. The second component of the project will comprise the implementation and evaluation of a sophisticated curriculum and social support program for young East-African Australians and their families, involving pre-service teachers studying at Deakin University.

For students: improved confidence, social capital, academic performance, mainstream interaction, improved teacher interaction, aspiration and future school engagement.

For families: sibling influence, family cohesion, improved parental understandings and capacities to support the educational needs of their children.

For pre-service teachers: gaining early experience with African-Australian students and their families, learning cultural responsive practices first-hand which will aid them when entering multi-cultural educational environments post-graduation.

Broader societal impacts: building healthy families and healthy family behaviours, assisting young people experiencing disadvantage reach their potential, cultivating role models in the community, reducing parental alienation, bridging intergenerational divides within families, and easing burdens on current teachers.

Start Date: 01/07/2024

End Date: 31/03/2027

Project Funding: Department of Education and Training Victoria ($399,600)