Premier Daniel Andrews announces a funding boost to the State Schools’ Relief while visiting students, teachers and parents at Maryborough Education Centre on Thursday.
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The $15.6 million commitment to the SSR will see an extra 25,000 students and their families will receive help each year to pay for school uniforms, shoes, books and stationery.
The funding boost will enable SSR to increase the number of disadvantaged students receiving financial help.
“Too many children learn about disadvantage the hard way, when their families can’t afford new uniforms, textbooks or stationary,” Mr Andrew said.
“We’re helping families meet the costs of school, because every child deserves every chance to fit in and thrive.”
Just 10,000 benefited from the program last year. That figure will increase to 35,000 this year.
“We’re expanding this assistance because disadvantage shouldn’t be a barrier to getting a great education, every child should be supported to do their best,” education minster James Merlino said.
SSR has been the leading agency providing such assistance to students in Victorian government schools for 85 years.
Schools can apply online to State Schools' Relief at www.ssr.net.au/schools when they believe a student needs help with appropriate uniforms and footwear for school.