Education support for drought-impacted communities is continuing with the NSW Government announcing the extension of the Drought Entitlement Maintenance Program to 2023 for local public schools.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW government is committed to supporting our communities who have battled through drought and bushfires by locking in staffing numbers at public schools.
“This program will assist in keeping our teachers in our local schools, I believe it’s crucial to have this support for the community as we continue to recover from not only drought but also the pandemic,” Mr Saunders said.
“With drought, bushfires, floods and a global pandemic, kids need consistent support from principals, teachers and school staff who they know and trust.”
Mr Saunders added that schools who are already involved in the Entitlement Maintenance Program will automatically have their staffing numbers extended; meaning schools won’t have to reapply for these positions.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Entitlement Maintenance Program began in 2018, in acknowledgement of the fact that enrolments in schools might have fluctuated due to the relentless nature of the drought, posing the risk of decreasing staff numbers.
“I know how crucial it has been to provide students and families with stability throughout some of the toughest years our state has ever seen,” Ms Mitchell said.
“268 schools in regional and remote parts of NSW will benefit from the extension of this program, which is a great thing for our country kids.”