Victorian Labor's suite of election promises has received a predictably warm welcome from some of the major groups in public education.

Promising to give money back to TAFEs, reinstate food programs and fund camps and excursions, Labor sought to skewer the Napthine government on some of its more unpopular education decisions.

The ALP promised $510 million in funding for school upgrades after many school communities have resorted to lobby campaigns to improve dilapidated buildings and grounds.

The Australian Education Union was quick to support Labor's education promises. Victorian branch president Meredith Peace said voters would get a "real" choice at the November election.

And Parents Victoria's executive director, Gail McHardy, said there was "refreshing" acknowledgement of the disadvantage facing many families.

Funding pledges for school upgrades have formed the bulk of promises so far this campaign.

But there was little talk of trickier policy areas in the campaign launch. The Coalition faced fierce opposition from the union last year when it sought to introduce a tough new process for promoting teachers. Labor's launch made no mention of similar tough reforms.

Monash University education dean John Loughran said the "social and emotional welfare" of disadvantaged families appeared to be a priority. But he said he looked forward to more details about the value of teaching as a career.

"It is hard to put students first if we put teachers last," he said. "We need a policy environment in which professional autonomy, respect and rewards for enhancing all students' learning is not just a priority but reality."

Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals president Frank Sal said the cash for school upgrades and refurbishments was a good start, but that commitment would need to continue in subsequent years.

"We look forward to additional detail around where Labor in government would further support the development of the state system," he said.

Coalition funding cuts to TAFE, revealed in 2012, sparked angry protests about campus and course closures and staff redundancies. Labor has sought to capitalise on that unpopular decision.

The Victorian TAFE Association's interim executive director, Nita Schultz, said TAFE institutes would welcome the funding for infrastructure and facilities.

She  hoped the promised review would result in long-term stability for the sector. The extension of subsidies to private providers about five years ago under the previous Labor government resulted in substantially increased competition for TAFEs from the private sector.

Ms Schultz said leaders of TAFEs would be keen to get involved and voice their views as part of the review.

"This could be an opportunity to sit and take stock and make sure that the public sector has its rightful place into the future," she said.