School students in NSW will receive free tutoring next year after the state government committed $337 million to support those who may have fallen behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government would employ up to 5500 additional staff to tutor at every public school, as well as some independent schools with significant levels of need.
The tutoring program, to be included in NSW's 2020/21 budget next week, will begin in term one 2021 and run throughout the school year.
Ms Berejiklian said it was designed to ensure students' educational outcomes continued to improve after a disrupted year that included seven weeks of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Students have been through a really difficult time in 2020 - especially those who may be disadvantaged or vulnerable or have learning difficulties," she told reporters on Tuesday.
The education department would support schools to identify students who would benefit the most from the intensive support, tailoring it to their requirements.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell urged educators, including casual and retired teachers, final year teaching students and university tutors to express interest in the program.
"We know that learning for many students stagnated during the pandemic and tuition in small groups will help re-engage our students in their schooling," Ms Mitchell said in a statement.
"This program is designed to have maximum impact on student outcomes, because small-group tuition rapidly accelerates student learning."
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program would see a boost in employment for casual and part-time teachers and university tutors.
NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos welcomed the program and said there was "no doubt" the COVID-19 pandemic had seen a negative impact on student learning and wellbeing".
