Labor Candidate for Robertson, Dr. Gordon Reid, and Shadow Education Minister, Tanya Plibersek, met with students and teachers at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in East Gosford last week to discuss Labor’s plan for education if successful at the coming federal election.
Reid said Labor would deliver $440M to schools for better ventilation, building upgrades and mental health support, as part of a new plan to help Australian kids bounce back after COVID-19.
“Schoolkids have been impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic; they have had their schooling and learning disrupted for the past two years,” Reid said.
“Whether it was remote learning, social distancing, wearing masks or missing out on school camps, it’s been particularly tough for our students.”
Reid said research from the Australian National University found more than 60 per cent of parents said their children’s mental health and wellbeing had declined during COVID-19.
“As part of (its) education plan, Labor will commit funding towards the Student Wellbeing Boost.
“This funding will mean more school counsellors and psychologists to help students struggling with the effects of the past two years.
“It will also mean more camps, excursions and social activities that improve kids’ wellbeing.”
He said the plan will also include a Schools Upgrade Fund where schools will be able to access grants to improve air quality by implementing measures such as better ventilation and building more outdoor classrooms.
“Schools are still vastly under-prepared to operate in a post-COVID-19 world … this education plan will address some of the problems COVID-19 has created in our education system.”
Source:
Media release, Mar 10
Candidate for Robertson, Gordon Reid