Targeting Education Funding To Students Most In Need

Victorian students most in need are getting extra support at school to achieve their best and break the cycle of disadvantage, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s record boost to equity funding.

Schools will today receive their indicative budgets for next year, with the Labor Government delivering $6.1 billion to Victorian government schools for 2017.

This includes $358 million in equity funding, which is needs-based funding used by schools to introduce programs that help disadvantaged students achieve better results at school and reach their full potential.

This sees Victoria meet its Gonski funding contribution for 2017.

Schools have used their equity funding in many different ways, including:

• Appointing a play-based therapist to work with students from traumatic backgrounds at Dallas Brooks Community Primary School
• Creating specific numeracy and literacy resources, hiring teachers, teaching assistants and more support staff at Sunshine College
• Appointing a Koorie engagement officer to improve Koorie student attendance at St Georges Rd Primary School
• Creating a specialist music program called Fusion Music at Narre Warren South P-12 College.

This funding is making a difference to the lives of Victorian students and is here to stay.

While the Turnbull Government has walked away from funding the final two years of Gonski funding – slashing almost $1 billion in funding to vulnerable students – the Labor Government will continue to provide equity funding to help our schools and students most in need.

For the first time, every Victorian government school’s total indicative funding will be published on the Department of Education and Training’s website.

For more information, visit: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/educationstate/Pages/schoolbudget.aspx

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We know that needs-based funding works and is making a difference for thousands of Victorian students right now.”

“Our record investment in needs-based funding is helping every child reach their potential so we can break the cycle of disadvantage.”

“The Turnbull Government’s decision to walk away from its commitment to Gonski funding will leave Victorian students almost $1 billion worse off each year.”