The Andrews Labor Government is giving more Victorian teachers the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills in inclusive education to continue supporting students with disabilities and additional needs.

Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today encouraged teachers to apply for a place in one of two post-graduate courses that aim to strengthen inclusivity for students of all abilities.

The Master of Inclusive Education program provides teachers with the chance to upskill at mainstream, specialist schools and supported inclusion schools, as well as deepen their knowledge and capacity to include, motivate and challenge students with disabilities and additional learning needs by focusing on their strengths.

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) program – which has been designed by the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education – helps teachers to understand the different types of learning difficulties and the interactions between them and build skills to influence change in their schools.

By undertaking a postgraduate study in inclusive education, teachers can make a significant contribution to how their schools plan and support students with disabilities and additional learning needs, and with behaviours of concern using contemporary evidence-based, best practice approaches.

The long-term vision is for every Victorian government school to have a qualified practitioner on staff, creating and leading a more inclusive school environment for all students across the state, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds.

The post-graduate courses are also a key initiative of the Disability Inclusion reform agenda – with the Labor Government investing almost $1.6 billion in disability inclusion to ensure schools have the resources, support and guidance needed to give every child a great education and enable them to reach their full potential.

Applications for the Master of Inclusive Education and Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) programs are now open.

The Master of Inclusive Education program has 75 places available across seven universities. Teachers working directly with students with disabilities and additional learning needs can apply by visiting: education.vic.gov.au/inclusive-education.

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) program is offering 75 places for Semester 2, starting in July this year. Learning specialists, leading teachers and classroom teachers working directly with students with learning difficulties can apply by visiting: education.vic.gov.au.