Page 2881 - Week 10 - Thursday, 7 October 2021
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education, called Set-up for Success. This includes additional funding for the targeted provision of three-year-old preschool for those children who need it most, because for children who experience disadvantage, early education plays a significant role in turning the curve on the level of inequality. No child should miss out on quality early childhood education because it is unaffordable.
We are also funding additional scholarships for early childhood teacher degrees and employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early year engagement officers. Educators, parents and students have told us that transitions make a difference between education settings and that these really matter, so the budget has also allowed us to develop a transition methodology and framework for children and young people, so that we can put the structures in place to make sure that those transitions are easier for everyone.
Investing in early childhood reduces inequality by giving children the best possible start in life. These are the core values of this government, and I am proud that the budget reflects these values.
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker—
MR PETTERSSON: Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Pettersson had the floor, though he didn’t have the noise, but he had the floor.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what other ongoing initiatives in this year’s budget are supporting students, teachers and school communities?
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Without the commentary, Mr Hanson.
MS BERRY: I thank Mr Pettersson for the supplementary. There is so much more in this budget for education than I have been able to mention, including investing more than $21 million to ensure that public high school and college students continue to be provided with Chromebooks and providing internet access to students who need it. This takes the financial pressures away from parents and makes sure that all students have equal access to a technology-based education.
After a wildly successful trial, we have been able to continue to provide free legal services to public college students as well. This is particularly important as we have seen domestic and family violence increase during the pandemic.
We are also investing millions of dollars in school infrastructure, including expanding Margaret Hendry School and building a new high school in Taylor. Expansions also include nine new modular learning centres, design works for a new primary school at Strathnairn and a modernised Narrabundah College, additional funding to complete the new high school in Kenny, and funding to prepare to modernise Garran Primary School. The government is also investing $99 million to upgrade existing public
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