The Victorian Government’s Glasses for Kids program – aimed at Prep to Year 3 children at schools in disadvantaged communities – has prescribed its 1,000th pair of glasses.
The milestone was reached at Rochester Primary School in the Shire of Campaspe on 8 December where 16 students received free vision screening and testing.
According to the state government, children with undiagnosed vision problems often find it difficult to concentrate and engage at school, but too many Victorian families avoid eye tests due to the prohibitive cost of glasses.
The Victorian program, which is managed and delivered by State Schools’ Relief, has helped more than 22,000 Prep to Year 3 students at 395 schools have their eyes screened and, if needed, receive free glasses.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 invested $1.6 million to deliver the second round of the Glasses for Kids program, which is delivered to targeted schools in the most disadvantaged areas across the state.
This builds on the $800,000 the Victorian Government previously provided the initiative since coming to power.
Between Term 1, 2020 and Term 2, 2023 the program is expected to visit 340 schools and offer free vision screening and testing to approximately 40,000 Prep to Year 3 students.
“Giving every Victorian child the opportunity to thrive at school goes beyond providing great education programs – it’s about making sure nobody is left behind because of easily treatable issues like vision impairment,” Minister for Education James Merlino said.
“It’s fantastic to see an extra thousand Victorian students seeing more clearly and concentrating better thanks to Glasses for Kids – and that’s exactly why we’ll continue to invest in this vital program, and in our kids’ health.”
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