Deaf community, teachers' union slam 'woeful' cuts to Visiting Teacher Service in Victorian schools

An East Gippsland teenager says the state government's decision to dramatically cut back a program that supports students with a disability, like her, will make it a lot harder for children in the classroom. Key points: Visiting teachers across Victoria support children with high needs, and assist their parents and teachers Victoria has 118 "visiting teachers", but the state government will slash that number to just 32 The Andrews government says the program is being streamlined to avoid duplication of services Year 8 student Rebecca Crouch, 14, who is deaf in one ear, has the support of a visiting specialist teacher who advocates for her in and out of the classroom. 'Woeful' cuts shock deaf hub, teachers' union In Central Victoria, Deaf Hub Bendigo founder Elise Stewart said she and others were shocked to learn of changes to the Visiting Teacher Service. "I have been really busy lately in responding to concerned parents of deaf children, teachers with deaf students in their school, and visiting teachers themselves," Ms Stewart said. The Australian Education Union's Victorian branch president, Meredith Peace, has joined the call to save the Visiting Teacher Service, labelling the decision "woeful" and "misguided".