Government delivers more learning support for thousands of children

Government delivers more learning support for thousands of children

Thousands more children are getting the help they need at school as the Government's record investment in learning support delivers real results, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, we invested three-quarters of a billion dollars in learning support, the largest investment in a generation. 2026 is the first year that investment takes effect, and already thousands more children are getting the support they need. “For too long, parents have struggled to get help for their children, teachers have been stretched, and waitlists have continued to grow. “We promised to do something about it, we backed that promise with funding, and now we're delivering. “The results from our first year of investment speak for themselves: “We've also ended the decades-long debate on what inclusion in special education means by backing the choice that parents have been asking for. We have invested more than $317 million in funding for three new special schools – the first in over 50 years – 142 new specialist classrooms across the country, learning support modifications and the full redevelopment of six existing specialist schools. “We said inclusion means choice, and we're delivering more options for families and better learning environments for children with the highest needs. “These aren't just numbers on a page. They represent thousands of children getting extra help with their learning, families getting support earlier, and teachers getting the resources they have been asking for. “Labour had six years in Government, but too many of their learning support promises were never delivered. “They produced a Learning Support Action Plan that was never fully implemented, with key initiatives unfunded. Their High Needs Review went nowhere. They promised Learning Support Coordinators in every school but stopped after the first tranche, leaving most schools without one. And they failed to deliver on their promise to uncap ORS funding. “Labour didn't lack promises or strategies. What was missing was the delivery. “Our Government has backed its commitments with the largest investment in learning support in a generation, and these early results show what that funding is achieving. “This is only the first year of rolling out our three-quarters-of-a-billion-dollar investment. Our $266 million investment in early intervention alone will fund more than 560 additional specialist roles over five years. Every year, more specialists, more teacher aide hours and more support will reach children and their families. “We've funded the changes, the rollout is underway, and we're already seeing results. “Parents and teachers need more than promises. They need real support for their children, and that's what this Government is delivering.”