Coker pledges extra money for schools

THE state election might be on but federal Labor is making its own promises, pledging $15.2 million to schools in the Corangamite electorate if it wins the next federal election.

Surf Coast Secondary College and Torquay P-6 College will each get more than $1 million in additional funding over the three years from 2020.

Bellbrae Primary School will receive $490,000 in extra funds, while Surfside Primary will benefit from $470,000 in funding.

Anglesea Primary School will benefit from an additional $150,000, while Aireys Inlet Primary School will also receive $150,000.

Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker said Labor’s plan was a big win for public schools and students in the region.

“Labor’s record school funding will ensure Surf Coast public schools get the funding they need to give students the best chance for a rewarding future.

“It will mean more individual attention, more support with numeracy and literacy and new skills to help young people secure the jobs of the future.

“This investment will also enable public schools to offer a broader range of subjects in languages, coding, the arts and vocational education.

“In total, Labor’s plan will provide an extra $14 billion in funding for public schools and will see every student in every public school better off. Labor will also restore every dollar that the Liberals have already cut from our schools.

“Labor thinks it’s time for a government that will put school children first. It is why we will deliver the biggest investment in public schools in our nation’s history.”

Aireys Inlet Primary School parents Colleen Cartwright and Amanda George welcomed Labor’s pledge. Ms Cartwright said the extra money would be put to use straight away.

“It’s bare bones at the moment – there’s just enough for classroom teachers; there’s no extras.

For anything else, we need to do the fundraising, which was the fair on Saturday, for those extra things like art supplies.”