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Youth Education | May 31, 2018

The Nationals ensure a brighter future for Lowan kids

The Nationals have unveiled a plan to give young people in Lowan a brighter future with an $80 million fund dedicated to lifting educational outcomes in country Victoria.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP said the Brighter Futures Fund would be targeted at rural communities experiencing a high level of disadvantage, including some areas in Lowan.

“Where you grow up shouldn’t determine your future and we need to take action to ensure our rural children have the best start in life,” Ms Kealy said.

“Our plan will invest in integrated education hubs that better support parents and give kids an opportunity to reach their full potential – regardless of where they live – and is the first step in overcoming the unique challenges facing rural students,” she said.

The Victorian Auditor General recently found ‘there is no sign that the gap in performance is likely to narrow. Indeed, in some areas of performance, the gap is getting wider.

The report showed that 15 of the 20 worst performing local government areas for early childhood education were in rural Victoria.

Ms Kealy said the fund would accept applications to build integrated education hubs from rural communities experiencing a high level of disadvantage.

“These hubs will help communities provide a one-stop shop for allied health, early childhood, maternal and child health services, primary, secondary and even tertiary education,” Ms Kealy said.

“A short-term plan won’t secure real change. We know real change will only happen if government remains dedicated to this work for years.

“It takes a village to raise a child and we want to build that village to give children in rural and regional Victoria a brighter future,” she said.

The Brighter Futures Fund is the first of a number of announcements the Liberal Nationals will make for early childhood education in rural Victoria.