Strengthening inclusive education for all students, including those with disabilities and additional learning needs, is fundamental to an equitable and excellent school system. 

The Member for Tarneit, Sarah Connolly MP, announced Tarneit schools and kindergartens will receive extra resources and equipment to strengthen inclusive education through the ‘Inclusive Equipment Fund’, ‘Inclusive Schools Fund’ and the ‘Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program’ thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. 

Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program: 

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 included $6 million for the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program to help kindergartens across the state provide safe and inclusive environments for children with additional needs -playground and buildings stream provides up to $200,000 in upgrades to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for all children. 

Yerambooee Kindergarten in Hoppers Crossing will receive $19,005.70 to install outdoor blinds around the building to enhance inclusion within play spaces. 

Inclusive Schools Fund: 

Minister for Education, James Merlino, recently announced a further 51 projects across the state will be funded from the additional $10 million announced in this year’s budget, as part of the Labor Government’s $40 million Inclusive Schools Fund.  

Locally, Doherty’s Creek P-9 College in Truganina will receive $124,739 to build an outdoor sensory area – the plan is to incorporate an existing sandpit into a Discovery/Inquiry Childrens Garden for children to usem play and discover in. 

Inclusive Equipment Fund: 

The Equipment Boost for Schools initiative is part of the $61 million suite of inclusive education initiatives providing schools with support and resources to embed inclusive education in all aspects of school life.  

Tarneit schools will be among the 322 schools across the state to share in $3.5 million to purchase new equipment and assistive technology to support students with disabilities or additional learning needs under the Equipment Boost for Schools initiative. 

The Grange P-12 College will receive $6,655 and Tarneit P-9 College will receive $3,235 to purchase C-Pens – a pocket sized device that can scan and read text out aloud to the benefit of those with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. 

Truganina P-9 College will receive $25,306.59 in total to purchase amplification equipment as well as additional resources such as the Proloquo2Go app. 

The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State to ensure every student has access to a great local school and education – a task starting with the early years. That’s why, in an-Australian first, the Victorian Government has committed almost $5 billion to deliver 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten programs to children in Victoria over the next decade. 

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly 

“Inclusive funding for equipment, schools and kindergartens aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children.” 

“To get the best out of their education, every child should be inclusively supported to participate fully in their own learning and development.”