State Budget 2002

Access, Innovation and Excellence: A New Direction in Education

The Victorian Government will inject $550 million into Victoria's education and training system over the next four years.

This includes $334 million in new programs and $216.4 million to build and significantly upgrade more than 110 schools and TAFE Institutes.

New funding boosts have been targeted at the early years and numeracy programs, the provision of funding for the employment of an additional 925 teachers, and a new initiative to encourage innovation and excellence in schools across the State.

The 2002 Budget is the important next link in delivering the Victorian Government's vision to create a strong, vibrant public education system to provide the foundation for long-term economic and social well being for Victoria.

The 2002 budget and the many initiatives included within it will play an important role in driving the Department's work in delivering on the Victorian Government's targets in education and training.

2002-2003 Budget Highlights include:

$81.56 million to hire 300 additional secondary teachers for nearly 100 specifically targeted secondary schools as part of the Access to Excellence Initiative.
$216.4. million in capital works for more than 110 schools and TAFE institutes.
$34.6 million for the equivalent of an additional 150 Early Years numeracy teachers.
$43.3 million to continue to reduce class sizes in Years Prep-2, to improve early years literacy and numeracy, including the employment of an additional 285 teachers.
$84.3 million for a new middle years reform, Schools for Innovation and Excellence. Clusters of primary and secondary schools will be provided average start-up funding of $200,000 each to implement a targeted 12-month reform program. Ongoing funds of $80,000 per annum will be made available to employ an educator to manage the program.
$47.7 million for the State-wide implementation and further trials of the new Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
$31.1 million for improved State-wide access to school transport. This includes increased school bus conveyance allowances and a changed car allowance for students who don't have access to school buses
$3.6 million for an additional 15 Koorie educators and 6 Koorie Home Home Liaison officers.
$8 million to continue the youth FReeZA program.
$3 million to host the Pacific School Games in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
$9.2 million over two years to develop Victoria's design capabilities

If you want to find out more detailed information about this years budget, you can access the latest budget news on the Victorian Government's website: (http://www.budget.vic.gov.au)

The Treasurer, John Brumby, was interviewed on Schools Television (http://www.sofwebdev.vic.edu.au/schoolstv/events/) about the Victorian Government's focus on education and training in this year's 2002 State Budget.