College Cuts Hit Disabled

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The end of the Adult Special Education programs at the College of New Caledonia has some parents wondering where they will turn.

The program, designed for those with physical and mental challenges,was one of  several programs cut  because of the College's financial crunch.

Terry Robertson’s daughter is one of the students enrolled in the Open Doors program.  “It is only a half time program, but without it, there is no place for these people to go, the University doesn’t want us.”

Parents and the community are being called to attend a meeting at AimHi on March 18^th   7:00 to talk about the problem.

CNC President John Bowman says the key consideration on the special education programs was cost “Those programs have relatively small enrolments and high instructor and staff ratios so regrettably, it came down to dollars and cents.  We also however are hopeful those programs can be reinstated in the future.”

The reinstatement of the programs is reliant on the College’s financial situation improving.  There is no indication the College will get more funding  for  ‘08/’09 school year, but CNC President  Jon Bowman isn’t  giving up hope “We are hopeful in the next year or two there will be a significant change in the way colleges are funded and we know the adult special education programs are important and are in need and the students in those programs should be served, but unfortunately at this time because of the very high cost we cannot afford to maintain them.”    

There is a cap on the number of students in the program, that cap is set at 12.  Bowman says the number of students allowed in the program could be increased in the future if and when CNC is able to reinstate the programs.    

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