An extra 70,000 Victorian students will benefit from vision screening and free glasses as part of the state government’s Glasses for Kids program.
Education Minister Ben Carroll and Williamstown MP Melissa Horne recently visited Altona North Primary School to see the testing in action.
Acting principal Lee Blunt said the visiting optometrist tested 71 of students, finding 22 who needed glasses.
“That will hopefully have a great impact on their learning because they will be able to see better,” she said.
Ms Blunt said as beneficial as it is for the students, it is also a huge help for the parents.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for the students, and in this day and age it is very helpful considering the financial difficulties many people are experiencing,” she said.
“Not only with the money cost but some families also find it difficult to get away from work to do those sorts of things, so this is a great support for them.”
The state government said the program is expected to triple the capacity of the students it will aid with onsite vision screening and if needed, free glasses.
The state government said the expansion will open the program up to an extra 473 schools, making it available to 74,000 more prep to year 3 students through to 2027.
The Glasses for Kids program is managed and delivered by State Schools’ Relief and offered to students from state government schools identified with high and medium levels of disadvantage, based on the school’s Student Family Occupational Education Index.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said she is pleased to see the program flourishing.
“It’s great to see this successful program being expanded to help even more kids access free glasses,” she said.
“Testing and fittings at schools means we make life easier for busy families’ schedules.”
Jennifer Pittorino
