Australia is huge and many areas are remote. The School of the Air was started in 1951 and covers 521,000 square miles. The average is 120 students a year, over the past 20 years in Alice Springs. There are Schools of the Air in all states and the Northern Territory. Most students live on cattle stations, tourist facilities, military bases, national parks, camel farms, mining towns and aboriginal communities. When a child turns 4 1/2 they can join pre-school. The school covers through Year 9 of education.
This began in 1951 with correspondence courses through the mail as well as daily interaction with the teacher, via pedal radio. You thought walking to school was bad..uphill both ways.
Today they use computers and online instruction as well.
Once a year the teacher visits each student. Planned get togethers for sports and socialization occur 4 times a year. Each student is required to have a home tutor, usually a parent although some families do hire a tutor. The tutor supervises the student and grades the homework.
Aboriginal communities usually have an onsite school with instructors. Many aboriginal communities do not speak english so the onsite teacher can provide additional support.
The map photo gives an idea of the size of Australia, length of time is by air flight on the map.
TOAL-Trip of a Lifetime 