Ash Bolt
Labor has committed almost $125,000 to improve education in the Corio electorate if it is elected this weekend.
Corio MP Richard Marles said an Albanese government would provide $123,937 to three primary school and family service provider Bethany.
Bethany will receive $20,000 for its playgroup, which provides early intervention and promotes early learning for families in Geelong’s northern suburbs.
The funding will allow Bethany to enhance its students’ learning with new digital resources, books, furniture and play equipment suitable for children with disability or from Indigenous culturally diverse backgrounds.
Newcomb, Oberon and Whittington primary schools will also benefit.
Newcomb Primary School will get $40,000 to install a sensory room which would provide a safe space for students to regulate their emotions and support their social, emotional, and cognitive learning, while Oberon Primary School will get $35,000 for an all-inclusive multi-sensory learning space.
Whittington Primary School will receive $28,937, which will allow it to expand its ‘Soundfield’ system technology.
The technology improves the acoustics in classrooms, making them more accessible for students with hearing loss, auditory processing disorder, learning difficulties, developmental disabilities and students who speak English as a second language.
“Labor believes every Australian child deserves the best start in life, including early years education and a great school education,” Mr Marles said.
“The past two years have been hard for all Australians. But our kids have suffered a unique loss. Remote learning, isolated from friends, and missed events, have turned what should be some of the best years of their lives into a bit of a nightmare.
“Investing in school upgrades like these ensure our schools are equipped to provide a world-class education. They also give kids the chance to participate in activities that are crucial to their development and wellbeing.
“These announcements are just part of Labor’s commitments to invest in local schools. An Albanese Labor government will also ensure every school reaches its fair funding level, and will deliver $440 million to schools for better ventilation, building upgrades and mental health support, to help kids bounce back after COVID.”
Mr Marles said if elected, the Labor government would continue to invest in schools, local toy libraries and playgroups across the Corio electorate.
He also said Labor would bring down the cost of child care for 96 per cent of families in the system in response to cost of living pressures.
