Free glasses for primary pupils

State government has surpassed a major milestone in its free Glasses for Kids program.

The program has provided free prescription glasses to more than 5000 Prep to Year 3 pupils across Victorian schools, including schools in Hume and Whittlesea, since the program began in 2015.

Managed and delivered by State Schools’ Relief, the Victorian-first program has so far provided free vision screening to almost 32,400 Prep to Year 3 pupils from 408 government primary and specialist schools across Victoria.

Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said the program has given students every opportunity to learn and succeed.

“Giving Victorian children the opportunity to thrive at school goes beyond providing great education programs – this is about ensuring nobody is left behind because of common and very treatable issues like vision impairment.

“Health and education go hand in hand.”

Since the beginning of Term one this year, 758 students at 17 schools have had their vision screened, with 130 receiving free prescription glasses.