Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — (12 470) My constituency question is to the Minister for Education, and I ask: how can local schools in the Yuroke electorate take advantage of the Inclusive Schools Fund? We know the benefits of making schools more accessible and welcoming to students who have special needs or a disability and their families. It helps all people reach their full potential and meaningfully contribute to their community. I am pleased, for example, that Aaron Rye, who I was delighted to write to the minister about earlier this year, is adjusting to the Jacana School for Autism well and is making his mother, Jodie, extremely proud. Through this terrific program I know local schools can improve their facilities to make them more inclusive, and I look forward to an update from the minister.

Response:

Thank you for your question and interest in the Inclusive Schools Fund.

The fund helps Victorian government schools implement innovative projects that promote best practice inclusive school environments and support the educational and social needs of children and young people with disabilities.

The third round of the Inclusive Schools Fund is now open, and I urge all government schools (including those in the Yuroke electorate) to apply via the Department’s website: www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/inclusiveschoolsfund.aspx.

The third round is open until Friday, 2 June 2017.

As the first and second round of the fund have been heavily oversubscribed, and to give more schools a chance of receiving funding, schools that have been successful in previous rounds are ineligible to apply in round three.

It is wonderful to hear that Aaron Rye is adjusting to life at the Jacana School for Autism. I am aware of the fantastic work being done at the school and understand why Aaron’s mother would be so proud of her son’s achievements there.

I look forward to the next round of applications making schools more inclusive as part of our key election commitment, the Special Needs Plan.

The Hon James Merlino MP
Depuy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Emergency Services