Wear red in October to raise awareness about the challenges of rural and remote ECEC

The Isolated Children’s Parents Association (ICPA) is calling on all Australians to stand in solidarity with rural and remote families by participating in the inaugural Rural and Remote Education Day (RREd Day) on Wednesday, 9th October 2024. 

This new awareness day aims to bring national attention to the urgent educational challenges faced by children living in rural and remote communities when it comes to accessing all types of education, including early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Each of ICPA’s 2500+ members will be wearing red on the day to raise awareness about the barriers rural and remote families face in accessing education for their children, and have asked others to join them to elevate some of the significant challenges they face, including: 

• Access to Education – Many families have no choice but to send their children to boarding schools far from home due to a lack of local options.
• Financial Burden – Discriminatory tax policies, like GST and fringe benefits tax, significantly inflate boarding fees on cash-strapped isolated families.
• Declining Support – The Assistance for Isolated Children allowance has not kept pace with rising costs, putting additional strain on families.
• Teacher Shortages – A lack of incentives has led to critical teaching shortages in regional and remote schools.

“On October 9th, we invite all Australians who believe in the right to equitable education to join us by wearing red, sharing our stories, and showing that no child’s future should be limited by their postcode,” ICPA Federal President Louise Martin said. 

“RREd Day is about bringing these issues to the forefront of national conversation, ensuring that rural and remote education is not just an afterthought but a priority. By wearing red, sharing stories, and joining forces, we can each work to drive the positive change that our rural, remote and isolated children so desperately need.”

Participants who wear red and share their photos with the hashtag #WearRRed will have the chance to win cash or a connectivity tool, with the winner announced on ICPA’s social media channels and website.

“Taking part is easy, just post to socials #WearRREd and share to your networks,” Ms Martin said.

“Wearing red on RRED Day is more than just a statement – it symbolises the vast heart of our country, the red land that sustains us, and the families who live and learn in the most remote corners of Australia. For the past 53 years, ICPA has been advocating for education access. We will continue to ignite engaging conversations on this topic, and we look forward to uniting our participants under a common cause through a simple yet powerful visual gesture.”

The campaign has also received support from NBN and Telstra, with NBN giving away $1000 cash to the most inspiring entry – and Telstra who will give away a Cel-fi GO 3G/4G Mobile Booster (RRP $999) to the most inspiring entry as a prize for participants who engage with the campaign by sharing their RRED Day experiences online.

Established in 1971, ICPA is a voluntary, not-for-profit, apolitical parent body dedicated to ensuring equity of access to education for all students who live in rural and remote Australia.

To find out more, visit the ICPA website