The Andrews Labor Government is supporting regional and remote schools, with the next generation of teaching talent to hone their skills and support local communities through placements at schools across the state.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today visited La Trobe University's Bendigo Campus to announce a $32.2 million investment in rural, regional and other targeted Pre-Service Teacher (PST) placements, along with a $2.7 million extension of the Teaching Academies of Professional Practice (TAPP) program.
The new funding will provide funding for around 11,000 students undertaking 3-week targeted placements, to assist with accommodation, travel and meals while undertaking their placements in schools.
Regional and rural school placements provide PSTs with unique learning experiences, offering new teachers the opportunity to connect with local communities while developing practical, personal and educational skills that can continue to benefit them throughout their career.
The initiative will commence in the second half of 2023 and run over two years, with funding available to all student teachers undertaking a supervised placement in rural and regional government schools.
Supporting students to undertake placements in schools gives them the opportunity to put their skills into practice in real-life schools, and fosters relationships between future teachers and the regional and rural schools.
The quality of pre-service placement will also continue to improve through the Labor Government's further investment in the TAPPs program. This will support universities to partner with clusters of schools by working together to ensure greater impact of PST placements and better prepare teachers for service.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 delivers $204.8 million in funding to support teacher attraction and retention, including this new investment in PST placement initiatives so that Victorians continue to receive world-class education - no matter where they live in the state - for generations to come.
As stated by Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins
"Supporting teaching graduates in regional and rural schools is an important priority to support good educational outcomes for students."
"We know that effective pre-service teacher placements are a key avenue for schools to grow their staff and build relationships with future teachers to form a sustainable work force."
As stated by Dean, School of Education Professor Joanna Barbousas
"It is vital that the teachers who enter the system aren't just classroom ready, but resilient and ready for the kind of unique challenges we know they can face."
"These supports help build the kind of adaptable and resourceful teachers we need, especially in rural schools."
