Students at three high schools in Wyndham will soon have access to general practitioners on site.
The Grange P-12 College, Manor Lakes, and Laverton are among the 100 schools across Victoria to be taking part in the state government-funded initiative.
Local doctors will visit the schools one day a week, giving students the chance to access health care and referrals to see specialists.
The program will be rolled out from term one next year.
State MP for Tarneit, Telmo Languiller- Tornesi said having a doctor in school would give students reliable healthcare while reducing the pressure on working parents and doctors. He said it would also help students identify health concerns early.
But the state Opposition has suggested the government is “undermining parents”. Education spokesman Nick Wakeling said the program could “alienate” parents from the health concerns of their children.
“This is an example of [Premier] Daniel Andrews thinking he knows better than parents when it comes to the education and health of their children,” he said.
Mr Andrews said criticisms about parental involvement were not valid as students could already see doctors at bulk-billing clinics.
Adem Saban and Sumeyya Ilanbey
