The Federal Government has this week pledged $450 million to provide extra hours of after-school care for students.

The Prime Minister made the promise earlier this week, saying it was “about ensuring our schools are the best possible environments to boost the skills and education levels of our kids. And that's all about preparing the economy for the future and managing the big transition ahead of us,” according to Kevin Rudd.

With the government not technically in caretaker mode when the announcement was made, it can be considered a pending government policy rather than an election promise, some media outlets say.

The move has been welcomed by several teachers’ unions around the country, though some are worried about how it will be implemented. A spokesperson for the Northern Territory branch of the Australian Education Union said: “They are programs that will engage kids and engage families more in their local schools, and in their local communities. These initiatives have been attempted in the Northern Territory before, with some success.”

There has been some concern for rural schools, with the plan possibly forcing the minimal staff of outback schools to work longer hours.