Victoria Minister for Education Martin Dixon

Victorian Coalition Government Delivers On Promise To Create Safer Schools

Victor P Taffa

The first of almost 300 primary schools will begin receiving funding for their first welfare officer as part of a $124.4 Million Victorian Coalition election commitment to help stamp out bullying and provide additional support to students and families.

Education Minister Martin Dixon today announced the expansion of the Primary Welfare Officer (PWO) initiative has begun, with an additional 150 welfare officers being recruited over the next four years to join 256 of their peers already assisting students in primary schools across the state.

The funding boost, announced in this year’s State Budget, will soon see welfare officers working in two out of three government primary, P-12 and special schools.

“We know that when a student’s health and wellbeing suffers so can their ability to learn.” Mr. Dixon said.

“The expansion of this program is critical in ensuring every student has quick and easy access to an on-ground key support person to ensure any problems or issues are addressed and dealt with at the earliest opportunity.

“Until now, less than half of Victoria’s government primary schools had access to a primary welfare officer, and I am pleased this government has made it a priority to provide our youngest students with safe and caring schools.”

Mr. Dixon said the Coalition Government had listened to the positive feedback principals had provided about the program.

“Primary school principals have told us how much they value the work of welfare officers in providing exceptional support to students experiencing problems, promoting school attendance and making schools harmonious places for learning.” Mr. Dixon said.

Mr. Dixon said the primary welfare officer program boost would play a key role in delivering on the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to stamp out bullying and combat violence in schools.

Other commitments to improve student welfare include:

• $10 Million for the eSmart initiative to help every government school and 300 Catholic and independent schools to educate students about cybersafety and cyberbullying;

• $2 Million over four years for teacher professional development to manage classroom behaviour;

• $4 Million over four years to review and update bullying policies and programs for Victorian government schools.