MORE SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Teachers and students are being encouraged to think about how they can improve school facilities for students with disabilities or special needs, with round two of funding now open under the Inclusive Schools Fund.
Minister for Education James Merlino opened applications today while visiting Belgrave South Primary School to inspect work on a new sensory garden for students with autism, which the school is building thanks to a $100,000 grant from the first round of funding.
The Andrews Labor Government established the Inclusive Schools Fund to help government schools build new facilities to better support the social and educational needs of children with a disability.
Schools are encouraged to be creative and innovative with their ideas to make interesting and stimulating learning and play spaces that will benefit all students, including those with special needs.
The Labor Government doubled the Inclusive Schools Fund in Victorian Budget 2016/17, meaning a total of $20 million will be delivered to schools over four years.
Round two of the funding will deliver $5.5 million to schools across Victoria.
The Fund is one of nine initiatives in the Special Needs Plan for Victorian Schools to ensure that students with disabilities get the same chances as other students, and fulfils a key election commitment.
Applications close on 29 September 2016. Schools can download the guidelines and application form for the Inclusive Schools Fund at www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/inclusiveschoolsfund.aspx
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino “The new sensory garden at Belgrave South Primary Schools will provide a new learning space that all students can enjoy, including those with special needs.”
“I want schools to re-imagine their surroundings and come up with creative ideas about how they can be made accessible to everyone. No ideas are too big and none are too small.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mordialloc and Ambassador for the Special Needs Plan Tim Richardson “This Fund is helping make our schools even better for students with disabilities and special needs.”
