A Charles Sturt University academic has warned a generation of rural youth will miss out on a tertiary education due to the continuing drought.

 

Professor Margaret Alston, a principal researcher with the University’s Institute of Land Water and Society, said unless changes are made to government assistance for rural students the chance for their participation in further education will be lost.

 

Recent research by Professor Alston and Dr Jenny Kent has shown that the drought continues to have a disastrous effect on rural children’s access to education.

 

“I think a ‘lost generation’ is being created because of this drought,” said Prof Alston. “There are lots of remote and rural kids who are not going on to university because of the financial costs associated with that. They are missing out on education and a chance to achieve their potential and I think that is a travesty.”

 

In light of this leading research into the previously unknown plight of rural children caught in the grip of drought, the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training will host a National Forum on Remote Rural and Regional Education on Charles Sturt University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 April.