The state government has denied cutting the funding for bullying programs in western suburbs schools.
Last week, the Weekly reported the state government and opposition were at odds over the status of the funding, with Labor claiming the government had stopped funding two key programs, Bully Stoppers and eSmart.
The Alannah and Madeleine Foundation (AMF) website originally stated: “Victorian state government funding for [the eSmart initiative] registration ceased July, 2013”.
But Education Minister Martin Dixon rejected the claim and said the government was still funding the eSmart agreement, with another $1.1 million due to be provided between now and June, 2015.
“To date, more than 1700 Victorian schools have enrolled in the eSmart initiative and any Victorian government school still wishing to do so can do this free of charge,” he said.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said students were at risk of bullying and cyberbullying with no new grants available in the Bully Stoppers program.
Mr Dixon denied that claim, too, saying 187 schools had received grants to run anti-bullying programs since Bully Stoppers began.
“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is currently finalising an evaluation of the grants programs,” he said.
“Should the evaluation show the grants programs have made a positive impact on schools, it is expected that a further round of grants will be announced in the coming months.”
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said the government had a poor track record in education, cutting more than $600 million in programs since taking office.
