The funding is an increase of almost $1 million in Budget 2018.

“More funding for school budgets will enable them to hire more teachers, specialist and support staff, and purchase new resources for students,” Minister for Education Eva Lawler said.

“Schools are able to make local decisions about how to best use their direct funding.”

Budget 2018 will see a record investment in supporting students and recruiting more teachers, Ms Lawler said.

The total 2018 Education Budget is $1.08 billion. It comes on top of Ms Lawler’s announcement last week of $13.18 million in education infrastructure fast-tracked to improve Territory school facilities and create local jobs.

“Within a year of coming to Government, Labor had an extra 178 more school based staff (including 125 more teachers).

“Every Territory child deserves the best start in life and this year’s education budget is about supporting every child to engage in their learning, grow and achieve their full potential.

“It will also support the hiring of more teachers.”

Budget 2018 includes the second round of the Building Better Schools initiative, which will see every Territory school receive $300,000 to upgrade their infrastructure over this term of government.