New South Wales educators benefit from record number of scholarships

A record number of scholarships have been awarded to early childhood educators in New South Wales to boost the availability, accessibility, and quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC).

More than 100 emerging professionals from across NSW will receive up to $20,000 each to support their Bachelor of Early Childhood study in 2022. The scholarship program is part of the NSW Government's commitment to increase the number of early childhood teachers working in the sector in NSW.

 

Speaking about the value of the scholarships for those who are working in regional areas Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams, encouraged other ECEC educators to apply for the next round of scholarships. 

 

"These scholarships are specifically for early childhood educators working in regional, rural and remote areas, outside of the big cities," Ms Williams said, congratulating local scholarship recipient Rebecca Corner. 

 

Ms Corner received a NSW State Government Early Childhood Education Scholarship to complete her four-year equivalent teaching degree.

 

A full-time educator at Discovery Early Education & Care Centre at Thrumster, Ms Corner is looking forward to undertaking her qualification and said the scholarship will enable her to keep working during her studies.

 

Speaking with local media outlet Port News Ms Corner said she wanted to further her education, and that the scholarship would ease the financial burden of study, allowing her to focus on her learning, keen to bring the latest of educational philosophies to Port Macquarie. 

 

114 scholarships have been awarded, including 25 scholarships for Aboriginal students who will go on to support, nurture and celebrate First Nations perspectives and culture in early childhood education across the state. 

 

Further details about the scholarships are available on the department's website, here. The original coverage of the story can be found here. 

 

Image credit: Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead