ELEVEN schools across the Shire of Gannawarra have received more than half a million dollars extra funding from the Victorian Government. The funding is across four years, which will begin to flow from the start of 2016, and is part of the Governments attempt to make Victoria the education State. The Victorian Government said the 2015-16 Victorian Budget was the biggest injection of education funding in Victorian history by providing $4 billion in additional funding to education. The three schools with the highest amount of funding are Kerang Technical High School ($218,313), Kerang South Primary School ($164,773) and Kerang Primary School ($53,002). Kerang Technical High School principal, Dean Rogers said the money would help support teachers and students for needs-based learning. We were pleasantly surprised to be receiving the amount, but I have a wish list rather that what we are allowed to spend the funds on, Mr Rogers said. At the end of the day, this funding will benefit the students and will make a substantial difference to their learning. Mr Rogers said the funds will go towards greater resources, more assistance for teachers and their professional development. Kerang South Primary School will receive the second biggest injection of any school in Gannawarra, with $164,773 to be spread across the needs of its 199 pupils. It is very exciting that the Government has recognised the needs of rural schools. We have a big responsibility to provide extra support so every student reaches the goal of achieving their best potential, principal, Lyn Veal said. A small number of students will also benefit at Lake Charm Primary School, with $9893 committed to raise the literacy and numeracy skills of students of primary school going into secondary education. This money will be made a priority for those students that need special assistance, and to break the link between a childs social and economic background and how well they do at school, principal, Jeffrey Millard said. This will help to level the playing field. Meanwhile, Cohuna Consolidated School will be injected with more than $40,000 across the next four years. Principal, David Laidlaw said the funding would alleviate strains on staffing and reduce the need to name excess people by the end of 2015. Its good that this money, which will help break the cycle of disadvantage, will filter through to rural school communities, he said. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the schools had gained equity funding that was targeted at disadvantaged institutions. Its recognising the extra help that country schools need, she said. Ms Symes said the government had decided funding based on an education state funding model that looked at key areas such as parents education levels, concentration of disadvantaged schools, parents occupations and grade five students NAPLAN results.