Students’ plea to pollies

By Lia Bichel
STUDENT pleas for the reinstatement of VCAL funding were heard during question time in the Legislative Assembly last week.
Twelve VCAL students wrote letters stating how the abolition of VCAL co-ordination funding will affect them and their fellow students.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley read from the letters from the Narre Warren P-12 College students during Question Time in the Legislative Assembly last week.
One student, Mitchell, credited his current success to the program. He completed a certificate in Printing and Graphic Arts and is currently studying a certificate in Automotive.
“It is essential that schools retain the VCAL funding because if we didn’t have VCAL I wouldn’t be where I am today and wouldn’t have the qualification that I have now,” he wrote.
“If it wasn’t for the co-ordinators of the VCAL program at Narre Warren South P-12 College I probably would have dropped out in Year 10.”
Another student, Ashlee, completed a Certificate Three in Financial Services and won an $8000 scholarship to further her studies.
“The VCAL co-ordinators have been instrumental in my success,” she wrote.
“My co-ordinators are available every recess, lunchtime, before and after school to assist me with concerns and general advice.
“To suggest that we can obtain that from an external body such as the LLEN is ridiculous.”
Student Jacinto said VCAL had given her a clear idea what industry she wanted to work in.
“The VCAL program has allowed me to complete my Diploma of Fitness and gain workplace experience in gyms,” she wrote.
“My teachers have assisted me in preparing cover letters and resumes. They really make us work hard to prepare us for life after school.”
Ms Graley called on the Minister of Education to immediately reverse his decision and reinstate the $50 million cut from the VCAL program.
“It defies logic that a $50 million cut to VCAL will not adversely affect the students undertaking training and employment as part of the program,” Ms Graley said.
“This is a cruel and callous cut that must be reversed immediately.”