Victorian school and kinder children of Greek heritage will benefit from new language and cultural programs thanks to a new agreement secured by the Andrews Labor Government.
Premier Daniel Andrews today announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Greek and the Victorian Governments that will bolster the delivery of Greek language programs in schools and kinders.
The agreement, signed in Athens by Mr Andrews and the Greek Government, includes:
- More support for teachers of Greek in Victorian government schools and kindergartens to study at a university in Greece to improve their language skills, including new opportunities for early years educators to participate for the first time
- Ongoing support for the longstanding Greek bilingual program at Lalor North Primary School and support for funded kindergartens offering Greek language programs
- The establishment of new sister school relationships
- Additional contemporary Greek curriculum resources for Victorian students
- Continuing the Greek Government’s teacher secondment program, where teachers from Greece are placed in Victorian schools to support Greek programs.
The Andrews Labor Government will provide $150,000 towards Greek language programs at a number of kindergartens across Victoria for the first time.
With Melbourne home to the largest population of Greek people outside of Greece and more than 110,000 Victorians speaking Greek at home, it is critical that we continue to invest in, and support the delivery of Greek language and cultural programs.
Mr Andrews also unveiled a new social media campaign – the next stage of the Labor Government’s ‘Study Melbourne’ international education campaign – which promotes the many benefits of Melbourne as a great destination for Greek students to come and study.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Victoria is home to a large and dynamic Greek community and we want to support our kids with Greek heritage to maintain a strong connection to their culture.”
“Melbourne is often described as the third largest ‘Greek city’ in the world – and our new social media campaign will help bring more Greek students to Victoria to study and experience all our great state has to offer.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos
“We’re helping more government funded kindergartens embrace and share our rich Greek heritage with kids and their families, with new language and bicultural programs and new support for early years educators working in Greek language programs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos
“As the member representing one of Melbourne’s biggest Greek communities – I know how much these new language initiatives will mean for local Greek families with young kids.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020