The Department of Education and Training’s tutor target for the year has been exceeded with more than 5,600 tutors working across Victorian schools.
Minister for Education, James Merlino said the number was 1,500 more than the initial target of 4,100 set for the school year.
“Every school received at least $15,000 to ensure they could participate effectively, with the amount provided to each calculated on the number of enrolments and the number of social disadvantage-funded students in the school,” Mr Merlino said.
“Funding for each school was calculated on an evidence-based model of around 20 per cent of students receiving two or three 45-minute sessions each week, in small groups, for 26 weeks,” he said.
“Schools have employed tutors based on the needs of their students.”
Mr Merlino said some tutors were working part-time, offering a range of experience and support levels, and some were existing teaching staff deployed to tutoring roles.
He said tutors were available at every Government school and worked in small groups.
“While teachers did a remarkable job last year, having the extra support of onsite tutors in 2021 will ensure these teaching teams can provide dedicated and individualised support for students who need help,” he said.
Mr Merlino said evidence had shown that the students who struggled most with online learning during the pandemic were those with low levels of English; those already at risk of disengaging from school; and those with home environments not conducive to remote learning.
