Grants open to support inclusive learning in northern Victoria

By Simon Ruppert

Jun 22, 2021

Grants are open for schools in Benalla and across north-east Victoria to apply to the Inclusive Schools Fund.

The grants aim to help schools to support students with disabilities and additional needs by funding projects such as building inclusive indoor and outdoor learning spaces as well as accessible playgrounds to ensure that all students can fully participate and succeed in school.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes encouraged schools to apply for funding in round seven of the Inclusive Schools Fund to create inclusive spaces that better cater for the social and educational needs of all students.

“The Inclusive Schools Fund is about giving our local schools the infrastructure they need to inspire a lifelong passion for learning for all of their students, and to show that disability isn’t a barrier to learning and achieving,” Ms Symes said.

To date, more than 300 creative projects have been announced since the fund began in 2015.

In round six, 74 projects shared in more than $12.5 million of funding which included inclusive wheelchair-friendly playground surfaces, quiet musical areas and sensory zones with a range of tactile surfaces.

This year’s budget announced a further $10 million for the Inclusive Schools Fund, bringing the government’s total investment in the fund to $70 million.

Applications for round seven of the program opened on Friday, June 18 and close at midnight on Friday, August 6.

For more details visit this link.