School students have faced additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic; in this week’s Budget, the ACT Government will commit an additional $51 million to school equity programs over the next four years, to ensure children in local schools have equal opportunities.
“Every child should be given the opportunity to thrive and succeed in ACT public schools,” said Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Education Minister Yvette Berry.
New and renewed policy initiatives, they said, would improve access, equity, and inclusion for all students as part of the government’s 10-year Future of Education strategy.
The initiatives include:
- More than $21 million over the next four years so that all Year 7 to 12 students have access to a Chromebook. This includes $2.8 million to provide internet access to any secondary school student who needs it, and to fund a new e-safety program.
- $12.5 million over four years to continue the ACT’s 10-year plan for early childhood education, Set up for Success. The funds will support providers and services that cater for vulnerable or disadvantaged three-year-old children. Twelve scholarships for an early childhood teacher degree will be offered.
- A new $11.5 million Future of Education Equity Fund to replace the high school bursary scheme, reaching an estimated five times as many students.
- 25 more youth and social workers will be employed at a cost of $7.4 million over the next four years to provide early intervention and support for students and their families.
- $1.5 million for a two-year trial to give 1,500 vulnerable students free breakfast and lunch three days a week throughout the school year.
- $450,000 over the next two years to work with young people with disability, their families, and the broader community to review how public schools deliver inclusive education.
- $445,000 to provide ongoing free and confidential legal advice to public college students, as domestic and family violence has increased during the pandemic.
Regardless of a student’s circumstances or unique needs, the ACT Government believes they should receive an inclusive education that delivers better academic, social, and wellbeing outcomes, and helps create a more equitable society, Mr Barr and Ms Berry said.
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