[Greens-Media] Successful youth mentoring program faces axe

[John Kaye]

Successful youth mentoring program faces axe 
 
Media Release: 21 April 2008
 
The Greens are calling on NSW Education Minister John Della Bosca to guarantee the future of the 'Plan-It Youth' program which provides volunteer mentors for students who are at risk of dropping out of school.
 
Commenting on a story on page 6 of today's Sydney Morning Herald ("Wise words put in doubt"), Dr Kaye said: "It is bizarre that the NSW government is even considering shutting down this program. 
 
"The Plan-It Youth program is one of the most successful programs for at-risk young people this state has ever seen. 
 
"It is strongly supported by mentors past and present, school teachers, and most importantly, by the young people themselves.
 
"Students are voting with their feet. There is far more demand than the program can currently provide. 
 
"At-risk youth actively want to work with mentors to improve their lot. The government's response is to create uncertainty about the future of the program. 
 
"NSW Education Minister John Della Bosca has a strange set of priorities.
 
"The program is largely voluntary and the government only pays for the coordinators. We estimate Plan-It costs less than $1 million per year.
 
"This is the pointy end of Treasurer Michael Costa's public sector budget cuts. Pressure on the Department of Education to reduce its costs by 1% will inevitably result in the loss of important programs such as Plan-It Youth.
 
"While the Iemma government is giving away $773 million to private schools, they are planning to slash spending on public school students at risk.
 
"Education Minister Della Bosca needs to move quickly to support this excellent program and save it from collapse. 
 
"Anything less will represent a government turning its back on young people who need help", Dr Kaye said.
 

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000