The Andrews Labor Government is supporting more Victorian schools to build inclusive indoor and outdoor learning spaces and playgrounds to better support students with disabilities and additional needs.

As the 2022 school year begins, Member for Member for Werribee Tim Pallas announced applications for Round Eight of the Inclusive Schools Fund are now open to help government schools in Werribee to create fully inclusive and enjoyable spaces for all students.

The Inclusive Schools Fund helps government schools better cater for the social and educational needs of young people with disability or additional needs – and since the Labor Government initiated the program in 2015, the fund has supported more than 340 creative projects across the state. Under the previous round of the Inclusive Schools Fund, 36 schools secured support for inclusive learning spaces and playgrounds, with a total investment of $6.6 million.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 delivered an extra $10 million for the fund, on top of an investment of $20 million in the Victorian Budget 2020/21 – bringing the total pool to $70 million and supporting an ongoing pipeline of improved spaces for children with additional needs. Every child deserves the opportunity to fully participate, learn, develop and succeed at school – and the Inclusive Schools Fund is a key part of the Labor Government’s promise to make government schools inclusive for everyone.

In the past seven years, the Government has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating around 13,500 local jobs in construction and associated industries.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “I encourage all government schools in Werribee to apply for a grant to support children of all abilities to learn, play and succeed.” “Building the Education State is about making sure every Victorian child has the best opportunities to succeed – regardless of differences – and programs like these make a world of difference to students of all abilities.