Concerns over Victorian government's $400 payment for school children
There was something to cheer about at Ascot Vale W Primary this morning. A school sweetener for Victorian families, especially with the cost of food and everything going up, I think that’s a little bit more helps. Every student in a government school will receive a $400.00 payment. It will cost the state $287,000,000 and help around 700,000 students. We as the Department of Education are working with our contracting system to make this as easy and transparent as possible. So no cash changes hands. The $400.00 can be spent on uniforms, camps, excursions and incursions and swimming lessons. Families will receive a credit on their school account in term four this year so parents can plan ahead of the new year. It’s good money. It’s it’s a lot in this. In this times. School principals are pleased with the payment, but some wonder how it will actually work. I’ve got 2200 children who will all receive this money. It is somewhat overwhelming. I’m thinking about the extra administrational support that I’m going to need to be able to help, but others believe the handout should be means tested. There are hard working Catholic school parents that are missing out. While the school saving bonus is the centrepiece to the budget, it is only a one off payment. So the opposition is instead focused on the Allen government’s broken promises of school funding and upgrades. 29 school upgrades that were promised at the state election have been unfunded in this budget. Mimi Becker. 9 News.