Bushfire-affected Victorian schools are set to receive additional support, with the Department of Education announcing a range of assistance initiatives this week.
Minister for Education, James Merlino announced a $13.45 million package to support communities most impacted by the bushfires.
“This includes a focus on the Alpine, East Gippsland or Towong local government areas,” Mr Merlino said.
“These bushfires have devastated many communities in Victoria and we’re doing everything we can to support students and staff as they get back to school, kindergarten and training,” he said.
Mr Merlino said the package for government and non-government students included: $5 million dollars to extend the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund; $4 million dollars to boost mental health support for schools, including additional psychologists and social workers; and $3.8 million to establish a Trauma Recovery Team.
“Additional supports will also be provided across the Ararat, Ballarat, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Indigo, Mansfield, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga local government areas based against eligibility criteria,” he said.
He said the package also included $650,000 in kindergarten fee subsidies to help families access free or low-cost four-year-old kindergarten.
“These initiatives build on a $2.5 million support package already announced to help school students from bushfire-affected areas with the cost of items such as uniforms, books and stationery,” Mr Merlino said.
