Digging up the (red) dirt on education: one shovel at a time

Abstract

Education is sometimes seen as an asset that can be drawn on and built up, or as a commodity that can be sold or put to good use. Human capital theory aligns with this view and suggests that investments in human capital will reap economic returns both for individuals and societies. Given this, in remote Australia improved educational outcomes should therefore result in improved economic participation and consequently the economic productivity of the nation. The investment in strategies designed to lift remote school attendance, attainment and retention rates have grown considerably over recent years. But so far the results are not encouraging. The analysis presented here, based on 2011 Census and My School data challenges human capital logic suggesting investment in education leads to economic engagement for very remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It suggests that linkages between education and economic participation are complex and may be multidirectional. Show more