50,000 disadvantaged students receive support to succeed

More than 50,000 disadvantaged students are being supported to stay at school and go on to further studies or a job through a Morrison Government funded program. 

The Morrison Government has provided $48 million from 2016-20 to support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the Learning for Life Program has now passed a major milestone of supporting more than 50,000 disadvantaged students. 

“Our Government’s support is helping The Smith Family boost the number of students it supports by 24,000 across more than 90 disadvantaged Australian communities,” Mr Tehan said. 

“We know that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to perform poorly at school or drop-out and they are also less likely to move into paid employment or further study after school. 

“Our Government is supporting students from low-income families by funding an effective long-term program that provides early intervention and the extra support young people need to succeed at school and reach their potential. 

“Students supported by Learning for Life are more likely to attend school, complete Year 12, and end up in paid work or further study.” 

The Smith Family’s CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien said: “The Smith Family is delighted to be working in partnership with the Australian Government to support more disadvantaged children to achieve educationally. Together with our much valued sponsors, donors and business partners, and the families and schools with whom we work, we’re helping thousands of young Australians to create better futures for themselves.” 

The Learning for Life Program provides educational scholarships to pay for school supplies, practical support from a Coordinator who works in partnership with families and schools to support students, and access to out-of-school educational opportunities, including literacy and numeracy programs and mentoring and career activities. 

For more information, visit https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/programs/learning-for-life. ENDS