Digital boost for students

Wimmera students are likely to benefit from a $16.4-million State Government commitment to improve digital education services for 347 rural and regional schools.

Member for Western Victoria and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said the funding, part of the State Budget, would lead to doubling the internet bandwidth in small schools and ‘level the playing field’ so students and teachers outside major cities weren’t left behind.

“We are investing in Wimmera schools because we want local students to have the same standard of digital education as metropolitan schools,” she said.

“No student in the Wimmera should miss out on learning the skills they will need for the jobs of the future.”

Ms Pulford said schools to benefit included Donald, Nullawil, Marnoo, Concongella, Navarre, St Arnaud, Stawell West, Great Western, Halls Gap, Beulah, Yaapeet, Tempy, Elmhurst, Buangor, Ararat North, Moyston, Maroona, Willaura, Pomonal, Dimboola, Jeparit, Natimuk, Laharum, Horsham West and Haven, Apsley, Rupanyup and Minyip primary schools, Goroke, Hopetoun and Wycheproof P-12 colleges, Warracknabeal Special Development School, Stawell’s Skene Street Specialist School, Woomelang Group School and Lake Bolac College.