The CDLC opened 21 years ago, providing an alternate form of education for year eight and nine students in the Cessnock area.

The students are referred by their school and learn literacy, numeracy, behaviour management, social skills and outdoor education over the course of a semester.

CDLC board president Ian Scanlon said the program is based on student needs, and they could participate in some of or the entire program accordingly.

“These are some of the programs that you don’t have in mainstream schools,” he said.

“It gives them a chance to build those skills.”

Until last year, the Department of Education and Communities’ Links to Learning program provided the CDLC with $160,000 annually to fund the cost of teachers and support staff.

However, this government funding was cut entirely, meaning the students who participated in the first semester’s program this year will be the last group to go through.

“Our organisation has been put in mothballs,” Mr. Scanlon said.

“In these tough economic times we missed out and the kids miss out.”

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr, a former high school teacher, said it is unfortunate to see this happen to young people in an already-challenged community.

“The CDLC story is a sad reflection of this government’s approach to education and the most at risk or vulnerable in our community,” he said.

Mr. Scanlon said many of the kids who have engaged in the program ended up completing their HSC, which they may have been in jeopardy of not doing otherwise.

“It gives the kids opportunities and confidence to stay at school and enjoy success,” he said.

Mr. Scanlon said the children who participated in this semester’s program feel privileged to be the last ones; however believes it is sad that their friends won’t have the same opportunity.

“For struggling kids in a struggling community the options aren’t there,” he said.

Mr. Barr agreed, saying it is the children who will suffer without the program.

“The young people and the families that most need the CDLC are the ones that have been missed, lost or let down by the system in past years,” he said.

“The electorate in the state that has the poorest educational outcomes of all has had the safety net removed.”

Mr. Barr believes this will have roll-on effects within local high schools and the wider community.

“Cessnock should brace itself for the consequence of throwing children on the scrapheap and giving up on them. 

“Typically, this will present itself in many anti-social ways including drug use, violence, property damage and crime. 

“The two public high schools in Cessnock will also experience change. 

“They will lose some serious flexibility in trying to keep some challenging children in education. 

“It will put at risk the learning environment in every classroom, it will tie a hand behind the back of teachers and principals, it will present itself in violent, aggressive and explosive moments.”

Cessnock-Kurri Greens spokes­person Tim Plater said the cessation of the program is a “tragedy for the local community” and has called on education minister Adrian Piccoli to provide an explanation.

“It is unbelievable that government funding has been withdrawn from a community that has the lowest number of people in the state who complete year 12 and the lowest number of people in the state who go on to tertiary education,” he said.

“We want the Minister for Education to explain how Maitland – a marginal seat – can be awarded several contracts to keep kids in school through these innovative programs, yet Cessnock – a safe Labor seat – has had all funding cut.

“We need to demand that the Coalition Government take notice and deal with our electorate based on needs and fairness.”

The CDLC will now go into “maintenance mode” and brainstorm ideas about how to service the needs of students in the area.

They are considering working with primary schools and school leavers, and looking at broader options to re-start the program.

“The potential is enormous, we just need the money,” Mr. Scanlon said.

Mr. Scanlon said the board is open to ideas, and invites anyone with anything to offer to contact him on 0412 726 420.

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The students of the CDLC recently participated in a billy cart building project with Bunnings Cessnock, see story and photos on page 10.