Variety WA is calling on the State and Federal Government to consider targeted funding for at risk children to access and stay in school to help break the cycle of poverty.
The long running and internationally recognised EduKids Grants program assisted 6,225 vulnerable children in WA in 2024. Using a unique method of working together with schools, EduKids funding is spent by schools on schoolbooks, bags, uniforms, shoes, canteen vouchers and breakfast club items to assist kids who need it most. Whilst the program is an overwhelming success and made a profound difference to over 6,000 families, we can and must do more to stop kids from slipping through the cracks.
Last year, Variety WA granted $300,000 to support 100 primary schools and 58 high schools representing a fifth of all public schools in the state. Variety’s award-winning program is scalable and the children’s charity is keen to expand its offering both within the state and nationally to help more children who are experiencing disadvantage.
Variety WA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Chatterton said cost of living measures could win the up-and-coming state election on 8 March: “I am thrilled to see both parties considering sensible measures to ease the cost of living for those most in need. The assistance that is made available will be the cornerstone of people’s decision making in the elections coming up this year.
“There have been a number of initiatives from both State and Federal Government to help people, but too many children living below the poverty line are still missing out. Kids without shoes or uniform and no lunch are less likely to attend school, leading to poor education outcomes which has a lifelong impact.
“The Variety WA EduKids Program provides direct, tangible and impactful support directly to those most in need. A pledge of $1.5 million for WA kids would mean Variety can offer the EduKids program at all 831 government schools in the state, supporting 33,000 of the most vulnerable children every year, equating to 10% of the WA school population. At a national level this would equate to approximately $14 million for targeted support for around 275,000 of the nation’s most disadvantaged children in every school in the country.
“Current research indicates that one in five West Australian children are experiencing some level of disadvantage and the EduKids program could make a real impact on breaking the cycle. By helping kids to stay in school with the supplies they might not otherwise have, EduKids helps keep children in education longer, which can in turn lead to better life outcomes.
“The government has an important window of opportunity to address need in a meaningful way and put in place measures that are correctly targeted and have tangible, reportable results for the people who are most deserving of support. This is what voters want to see.”
Read more about the EduKids Grants Program
Listen to Chris Chatterton speaking with Kelly Gudgeon on ABC Radio (@47 mins)
