Five Aboriginal men recently completed the Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Course (ITEC) run by Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies.
Two of the men recently completed their sentences but returned to Casuarina to don academic gowns and sashes with their classmates to receive their graduation certificates.
Casuarina Superintendent Jim Schilo said education and training were essential components of the prison’s rehabilitation program, with the Education Centre regarded as a sanctuary of learning.
“Education and training are a priority at Casuarina. The Education Centre gives prisoner students opportunities they wouldn’t normally have to change their way of thinking and to have a positive influence on their families,” Superintendent Schilo said.
“The staff at the Centre are there by choice and because they understand that education and training can help break the inter-generational cycle that contributes to many Indigenous people coming into contact with the justice system.”
Curtin University ITEC Course Coordinator and Lecturer, Ana, said to have all five prison pilot program students graduate was a huge success.
“It means these men can enrol in university degrees just the same as someone who’s achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) at high school,” she said.
“Our program opens doors and opportunities for people who may not have had a high school education, who may not have even got to years eight, nine or 10, but who do have the intelligence and the capabilities to achieve something at university.”
One of the ITEC graduates, a Noongar man, described the course as “life-changing”.
“I can’t express how important it has been for me. I thought university was only for lawyers and doctors, not for people like me,” he said.
“I never thought I’d be on my way to studying environmental science at university. I’m hoping to be a park ranger that specialises in environmental sustainability and restoration. I want to be able to go to university, apply that academic learning experience along with my Aboriginal culture and tie them together.
“I want to inspire other Indigenous students here to go on to complete the course and get out of prison and to be able to succeed.”
The pilot ITEC course started in February, with students attending the Education Centre approximately 15-20 hours per week.
The course will be run at Casuarina again next year with approximately 10 students.
