Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship - Department of Education employees

The Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who identify as Indigenous and are studying or intend to study an undergraduate or postgraduate teacher qualification. This scholarship provides generous financial benefits and the opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills teaching in a supportive environment while studying on a full-time basis and after graduation. The scholarship is named in honour of Dr Pearl Duncan, an Aboriginal teacher who has dedicated her life to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in education. Pearl is an accomplished individual with a long history in the education sector. She has taught students from primary school to university and has contributed to research work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. Applicants must be employed in a non-teaching role with the Department of Education at the time of application and be commencing or continuing an undergraduate or postgraduate Initial Teacher Education program, such as a Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching. Dr Pearl Duncan holds the honour of being the first Aboriginal school teacher in Australia who was trained at a tertiary institution and holds a PhD in Aboriginal Cultural Studies, a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Letters Anthropology (Honours) and a NSW Teacher's Certificate. The scholarship provides approximately $40,000 total over 4 years to encourage and support aspiring Indigenous teachers through their educational journey.