The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) launched the National Safe Schools Framework in 2011 with the belief that all students should be able to learn and develop in safe and supportive environments.

The second stage of the 2011 NAPLAN testing results have been released, following the September release of the initial NAPLAN Summary Report and the distribution of individual student reports.

Information on Vocational Education and Training (VET) and apprenticeships.

There are fears that some Victorian schools may have to axe the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) option for Year 11 and 12 students.

Religious instruction in Victorian schools takes a number of forms across the various school sectors and often plays an important part in the school curriculum.

In recent months Victoria has been in uproar over the issue of religious education in government schools.

Victoria's $57 million maths and sciences coaches program will be discontinued at the end of the year as part of the $441 million in cuts to be made to the education budget over the next four years.

There are also scholarships provided from time to time by various outside organisations, which are open to students from both government and non-government schools.

While most scholarships are open to all students, the most likely recipients are generally students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit or financial need.

Most often, schools award scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding abilities in a number of nominated areas, ranging from the creative and performing arts through to peer leadership.

Parents of high school children in non-government schools are always asked to pay fees and often to contribute to building or development funds.