The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most - a great education for our kids.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll today visited Glendal Primary School in Glen Waverley to announce a $46.6 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2025/26 to improve numeracy and maths skills.
With Victorian schools embracing the shift to phonics instruction for reading and a Year 1 Phonics Check coming to all government schools, we'll replicate this success by delivering a back-to-basics approach to maths.
The Budget invests $10.4 million to deliver a Year 1 Numeracy Check.
It's a new early screening tool to help teachers identify students who are falling behind in mathematics and could benefit from extra support.
It will be simple and quick for teachers to administer for individuals or small groups.
All Victorian government schools will administer the Numeracy Check for their Year 1 students from 2026 - because no child should miss out on targeted support if they need it.
This is part of Victoria's commitments under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, signed in January, which sees states and territories working with the Commonwealth to introduce an early years numeracy check by 2028.
Recognising the importance of early intervention, Victoria will make the Year 1 Numeracy Check available to schools ahead of schedule, allowing students to benefit from targeted support sooner.
For the maths whiz-kids in Year 9 and 10, the Government is delivering a maths camp - a $2.4 million investment.
As part of the program, the Government will send 1,000 teens to a 5-day advanced mathematics camp, offering real-world, team-based projects run by mathematics specialists, and linking students with experts in the field.
We're also funding a feasibility study to build a dedicated maths and science school in Melbourne's north west, like the John Monash Science School in Melbourne's south east.
The new dedicated school will give students access to new learning technology and run specialist programs to help them develop their skills even further.
The Budget provides $5.9 million so government schools continue to have free access to the Progressive Achievement Test for mathematics - checking in with students' progress to make sure they have support.
The Budget also provides $18.5 million to continue the Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program - advancing the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan's vision of supporting First Nations learners to reach their full potential.
Victorian Lesson Plans for mathematics are also available through 2025, helping improve student outcomes in mathematics and numeracy by providing teachers with high-quality, ready-to-use classroom resources.
Victoria recently announced the state's first Maths Ambassadors - passionate teachers who will foster the next generation of maths talent.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"We're making sure that every child - no matter where they live - can rely on a great public education."
"No child should miss out on maths."
As stated by Minister for Education Ben Carroll
"Getting the fundamentals right is absolutely crucial, and that's why we're making maths best practice common practice in every classroom and setting students up for success."
"We are also making sure that Victoria's teachers have the tools to enable all students, from those needing extra support to the high achievers, to realise their potential."
