Government pledges billion-dollar boost to schools

Detailed summary

The Victorian Labor government has announced plans to invest more than a billion dollars in public schools around the state if re-elected.

Victorian Labor has announced plans for a major investment in public schools if successful at the upcoming state election.

More than $1.17 billion will be used to upgrade 228 public schools around the state, Premier Ben Carroll announced on Saturday.

$500 million would go to upgrades at non-government schools, including $350 million for Catholic schools and $150 million for low-fee independent schools, including $30 million earmarked for Islamic schools.

Under the plan, Bellarine Secondary College, southwest of Melbourne, would receive $35 million for a new indoor sports facility, while Koonung Secondary College in Melbourne would receive $26 million for a new science, technology, engineering, arts and maths centre.

Mr Carroll noted his government had already delivered the best NAPLAN results in the country and built 121 new schools.

"Now we’ll upgrade hundreds more to give our kids the best start," he said.

“(Opposition leader) Jess Wilson needs to answer which of these school upgrades would she cut,” Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said.

The government also announced a $50 million grants program for security upgrades and larger physical works projects, with a view to opening up more public school facilities to sporting clubs and community groups.

It has already trialled the program at 50 schools in Melbourne's western suburbs, an initiative announced under former premier Jacinta Allan.

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