The state government’s boost to the Glasses for Kids program will see more Geelong families receive help for their children’s vision through testing at school and free glasses.
The $6.8 million injection of funds will triple the capacity of the program according to Minister for Education Ben Carroll, who made the announcement last week.
Wangala Primary School in Belmont will receive vision tests and glasses in March, while Tate Street Primary in East Geelong and Moolap Primary School will get the same in May.
Prep to Year 3 students will have access to free onsite vision screening and testing, as well as free glasses as needed.
The local schools are three of 473 schools Victoria-wide who will join the program after the funding increase, with an extra 74,000 students potentially taking advantage of the chance to address poor vision.
The Glasses for Kids program, which began rolling out in 2015, targets schools identified as having medium to high levels of disadvantage based on their Student Family Occupation and Education Index.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said in addition to directly benefiting children, the expanded program would save Geelong families money and time.
“It’s great that students in Geelong will have the ability (to) take part in this program, helping them to thrive in their learning and in life,” Ms Couzens said.
