The state government has recently introduced a new Student Excellence Programme, which aims to help those children with high abilities excel in the classroom. Around 150,000 teacher and student resource opportunities will be created.
According to Minister for Education James Merlino, an estimated $10.1 million has been included in the fund allocation for the delivery of the Victorian High Ability Programme. This will allow a maximum of 48,000 Year 5-8, high ability pupils to take part in intensive Virtual School Victoria programmes, followed by a local masterclass with other schools in the area. Merlino added:
“This means that parents can be assured that no matter which school their child attends, there will be a program to push and extend high ability students.”
An investment of $5.5 million will also provide nearly 100,000 students across the state with access to extension opportunities at tech schools, universities and partner like NGV, CSIRO, regional galleries and Zoos Victoria.
Resources worth about $40.4 million will be received by government schools to help their students excel. Programmes such as this can use brochure printing services to create materials detailing information about them.
An injection of $1.2 million will also be provided to enable teachers to access an evidence-based resource toolkit and professional learning online.