Barunga Community Education Centre is located 90 km southeast of Katherine on an all weather road
The community has approximately 250 people. There is a local store, clinic, garage, as well as the community council and the school. These are the only employment opportunities within the community. The major local language is Kriol. The community government council is represented by the major traditional language groups of Jawoyn, Dalabon, Mayali and Rembarrnga.
The school is classed as a Community Education Centre and caters from preschool to year 12. There is also a crèche attached to the school (called the Nursery School). Barunga has a strong VET program and some of our students are undertaking apprenticeships in Katherine as a result. Literacy levels are low, however the school regularly has students meeting benchmarks. The school programs are based upon Walking Talking Texts in the primary section and Northern Territory Open Education Centre (NTOEC) courses in the secondary section. VET courses are conducted through NTOEC and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE). The school has a strong emphasis on Art/Craft and performs in the Croc Fest and exhibits its work in the Katherine Show. The school council meets monthly, usually a dinner meeting.
