TEACHERS, students and parents have been left reeling by a federal government decision to stop funding the Dubbo component of a nationwide scheme that helps Aboriginal teenagers develop as leaders and achieve success in tertiary education and the workforce.
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Dubbo College has been the only public school in Australia to act as a broker for the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP).
This week college leaders were told their involvement in the program would not be funded after the end of this year.
Funding cuts are also understood to have impacted on the IPROWD pre-training course for the Goulburn police academy.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton told the Daily Liberal obtaining funding was a very competitive process and the government had to target programs that made a difference.
"I am aware of changes to demand driven funding and received a briefing in general terms last week," Mr Coulton said.
"I will be making more detailed inquiries about what is happening with programs in Dubbo.
"My understanding is that IPROWD has funding until 2016.
"The Dubbo College may be able to apply to continue its IYLP involvement through another funding stream."
A Dubbo College source said teachers, students and parents were devastated when news of the IYLP funding cut was received this week.
"We had to go through the process of notifying students and their teachers and families," the source said.
"Understandably everyone is very upset, particularly as IYLP funding is continuing for some private schools and non-government organisations."
Dubbo College has been involved in the program since 2009 and has provided assistance for 150 students.
Initially a solo participant, the college became a broker for other public schools when the government funding model changed.
"Our brokerage has involved Dubbo College, Coonabarabran High School, Young High School and Campbelltown Performing Arts School," the source said.
"The majority of the IYLP students have come from Dubbo College because we are the largest school in the group and have the highest number of Indigenous students.
"Since the program's inception at the college IYLP students have achieved an almost 95 per cent Higher School Certificate completion rate.
"That figure is unprecedented for the program throughout Australia and is far higher than the national average.
"We have been very proud of this achievement and have held our IYLP scholars in the highest esteem.
"Graduates from the program have gone on to university study, apprenticeships for trades and IPROWD."
Last year Dubbo College students were addressed by former Dubbo IYLP graduate Angel Towney.
Ms Towney, a three-times martial arts world champion, has been studying for a double degree in exercise science and business studies at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. She is now studying in Switzerland.
Her speech to the 2014 IYLP graduates was highly inspirational and encouraging.
The Dubbo College source said local IYLP students would attend an Aboriginal Education Consultative Group conference at Dubbo TAFE on Friday.
"Hopefully there may be an opportunity to speak about the funding situation," the source said.
The Daily Liberal understands IPROWD will also be represented at the conference.
This year IYLP is worth $1.2 million to the Dubbo College brokerage.
"We have 48 students participating," the college source said.
"Thirty are from Dubbo."
The office of Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion was contacted for comment.
