One thousand more Victorian students will be able see more clearly and concentrate better at school, thanks to the program.
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp recently announced that 98 students across the Goulburn Valley are among 1000 Victorian students to receive a free pair of glasses after having their vision was tested at school.
“It’s fantastic that students across the Goulburn Valley are now seeing more clearly and concentrating better thanks to Glasses for Kids — and that’s exactly why we’ll continue to invest in this vital program, and in our kids’ health,” Mr Gepp said.
Other schools across the Goulburn Valley in which over 897 students were tested include:
•Ardmona Primary School;
•Dhurringile Primary School;
•Gowrie Street Primary School Shepparton;
•Harston Primary School;
•Katunga South Primary School;
•Mooroopna North Primary School;
•Mooroopna Park Primary School;
•Mooroopna Primary School;
•Shepparton East Primary School;
•St Georges Road Primary School Shepparton;
•Strathmerton Primary School;
•Verney Road School; and
•Wilmot Road Primary School Shepparton.
Children with undiagnosed vision problems often find it hard to concentrate at school, which presents challenges when it comes to actively engaging in their learning — but too many Victorian families avoid eye testing due to the prohibitive cost of glasses.
The Victorian-first program, which is managed and delivered by State Schools’ Relief, has helped more than 22,000 Prep to Year 3 students at 395 schools across Victoria have their eyes screened and, if needed, receive free glasses.
Education Minister James Merlino said giving every Victorian child the opportunity to thrive at school goes beyond providing great education programs.
“It’s about making sure nobody is left behind because of easily treatable issues like vision impairment,” Mr Merlino said.
The Victorian Budget for 2019/20 invested $1.6 million to deliver the second round of the Glasses for Kids program — supporting students with undiagnosed vision impairments, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at school and beyond.
This builds on the $800,000 the Andrews Government has already provided to this initiative since coming to government, ensuring a child’s education isn’t disadvantaged by easily treated issues like vision impairment.
The second phase of the program means the program will visit an extra 340 schools — testing around 40,000 more Prep to Grade 3 students.
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