From now until 20 December, government schools can apply for a Variety WA EduKids Grant which provides direct assistance via schools for kids who may be experiencing hardship or disadvantage.
In 2024, the award-winning EduKids Grants program assisted 6,225 students in 158 schools across Western Australia, providing school bags, textbooks, lunch boxes, uniform items and breakfast club appliances to support inclusion and school attendance.
High schools can apply for $2,500 and primary schools can apply for $1500 worth of assistance with the requirement that the grant must assist at least ten children.
Variety WA, Chief Executive Officer Chris Chatterton, said schools had been reporting improvements in children’s attendance and participation: “We are so pleased to help children feel included and to access school with the necessary equipment.
“Some schools reported children feeling ashamed about attending school without the required learning materials. Teachers are telling us they have seen improved attendance, engagement and uplifted kids with improved wellbeing as a result of the EduKids Grants, which provided uniform, shoes and books.
“EduKids offers a unique approach, which gives schools the opportunity to identify children most at risk and to administer the funds how they are most needed. This year we gave away $300,000 to 158 or one fifth of government schools across WA, helping more than 6,225 children.
“We know that there is a strong relationship between school attendance in the early years and year 12 completion and unauthorised absences correlate to declining student achievement.
“In WA one in five children live with disadvantage and keeping kids in education is a key way to help break that perpetuating cycle.
“I would like to encourage all schools to apply for support in 2025, we’d love to help even more kids next year and we will do our best to accommodate every application until all funds are expended.” He said.
Applications close Friday 20 December 2024 and recipients will be notified from January 2025.
Check out the Eligibility Criteria and complete the simplified Application Form.
