GEELONG schools will get more than $8 million of extra funding next year, state government has announced.
The extra funding, in the last state budget but “unallocated”, will go towards educational programs in schools, a spokesperson said.
The previously unannounced funding comes on top of the budget allocation to schools, and could be used by schools to tackle key issues in their local community.
The announcement said the budget provided Geelong schools with $30 million worth of upgrades and rebuilds across multiple schools.
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said the funding was part of the state government commitment to make Victoria the education state.
“This extra investment in Geelong’s schools will ensure that every child can get the very best start in life.”
Member for Lara John Eren said the “unprecedented” funding boost for schools across Geelong’s north would improve outcomes and give students the skills needed to succeed.
Northern Bay P-12 College received an extra $2.1 million, Western Heights Secondary College got $584,000 and Lara Secondary College got $482,000.
Geelong East Primary School, Newcomb Secondary College, Bellarine Secondary College and North Geelong Secondary College each received more than $300,000.
The lowest allocation was $5000 for Belmont High School, Ceres Primary School and Queenscliff Primary School.
However, Shadow Education Minister Nick Wakeling said the funding was not new money.
“By trying to pass this off as new money, Daniel Andrews gets an F for Fail for dishonesty here.
“This is not new or extra funding as Daniel Andrews falsely tried to claim. It was already announced as part of the last budget.
“A lot of the funding won’t kick in until 2019-20 which is at least a year after the next Victorian election. By then, many of today’s school kids will already have left school.”
