Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan today announced the Bundjalung Jarjums Preschool Support Project will receive $196,250 under the Federal Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) grant round to deliver a improve attendance and educational outcomes for Indigenous students.
“This is a great project that focuses on getting children to school, improving education outcomes and improving parents’ confidence and ability to support their child’s development,” he said.
Forty-five Indigenous children in the Richmond Valley and Kyogle council areas will be targeted to attend a minimum of two days per week at Jumbunna Preschool & Early Intervention Centre in Casino, St Mary’s Preschool in Casino, Fairymount Preschool in Kyogle, Coraki Preschool and Kyogle Preschool.
Mr Hogan said the programme will include assisting Indigenous families to access high quality early childhood settings; employing Indigenous staff, ensuring meaningful engagement with parents and families, implementing literacy and numeracy programs, delivering parenting workshops, providing fee relief and subsidising transport.
“Programmes like this one are very practical ways of reducing the gap between our indigenous and non-indigenous communities,” he said.
“The increased investment through third grant round is the result of the Government honouring its commitment to provide longer funding agreements for important frontline services.”
“This increased investment will help deliver on the Government’s key priorities of getting children to school and adults to work and making communities safer.”
