The Department of Education and Training has reached agreement with the States and Territories on the continuation of the National School Chaplaincy Program.
The Department will provide $247 million to support the program through to 2022 with around 3,000 schools taking advantage of the provision of pastoral care services to their students.
Minister for Education, Dan Tehan said more than 1,000 schools and families had written to the Government supporting the program.
“The National School Chaplaincy Program has been an overwhelming success which has provided a strong foundation for students to reach their full potential in learning and life,” Mr Tehan said.
“The updated program will have a greater focus on school chaplains having the skills and tools to address bullying, in particular, cyberbullying in our schools.”
He said school chaplains would be required to undertake anti-bullying training provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner at no cost to schools or the chaplains.
“Bullying takes a terrible toll on the students affected and parents know it is a real issue,” Mr Tehan said.
“The National School Chaplaincy Program complements the national bullying and cyberbullying work program endorsed by all Education Ministers and adopted by all State and Territory leaders at the recent Council of Australian Governments.”
He encouraged schools throughout Australia to take part in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on 15 March.
