Disability funding will mean every student receives quality education: Kristen Desmond

Tasmanian Disability Education Reform Lobby founder Kristen Desmond welcomed Tuesday's announcement of $34 million allocated in this year's state budget for a needs-based funding model.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced the budget funds would be allocated to allow Tasmania to introduce the needs-based funding model in a nation first.

Ms Desmond said she had been campaigning on this issue for many years and was glad to see the hard work of so many come to fruition.

She paid credit to the Education Department, who worked hard with stakeholders, the Disability Ministerial Taskforce and the Social Inclusion Advisory Panel, to ensure the legislation was transparent.

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"It takes the pressure off [teachers and schools]," Ms Desmond said.

The funding model will allow schools who have made educational adjustments for children living with a disability to deliver personalised learning plans with earmarked funds.

Ms Desmond said in the past some schools had made the adjustments funded from their own budgets but this would allow for increased funding that wouldn't affect a school's bottom line.

The disability funding model was also welcomed by Children's Commissioner Leanne McLean.

"It's excellent to see the government recognising the additional needs of children and young people with disability," Ms McLean said.

"All children and young people have a right to education, and those who have a disability should receive the assistance and support they require to engage in the learning process and not to be discriminated against."

Ms McLean said the needs-based funding model would focus on the individual needs of children and the support they need to learn at school.

"This represents a major, positive shift in practice and culture for Tasmanian schools and families," she said.

Premier Will Hodgman announced that the state budget would deliver a record $7.1 billion investment in education.

"The budget includes recurrent funding for an additional 358 new staff including 250 new teachers; and $194 million in education infrastructure across Department of Education and TasTAFE facilities," he said.

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