Young mums dependant on the services offered by a longstanding education program may soon be left with nowhere to go after growing confusion regarding the state government’s funding commitments.
The program, Supporting Teenagers with Education, Mothering and Mentoring (STEMM), is currently based at Burnside State High School and works to provide teenage mums with education and job training opportunities.
However, after 16 years of service to the Sunshine Coast community, the program is now facing an uncertain future due to funding confusion.
A supporter of STEMM, who did not wish to be named, said the news the program could close came as a shock.
“A significant amount of funding has been withdrawn from the STEMM program by Education Queensland, which puts the project at risk,” she said.
The woman said without the appropriate funding vulnerable families were likely to suffer.
“We support young mums and their families who are trying to gain financial independence and get off the welfare system by getting an education and it is these families that are going to be adversely affected,” she said.
The program began in 2008, funded by the Queensland government, and is estimated to have taught approximately 300 young mothers.
Rebecca Kildey regularly visits the STEMM program at Burnside SHS.Rebecca Kildey was one of the first mums to attend STEMM in 2009.
She is now 35 with her own business and said she owes her quality of life to the program.
“When I heard the news I actually did cry, even though I’ve been part of the program for 17 years I still visit that place as a grown woman with grown-up children,” Ms Kildey said.
“It is such a vital program for young mums and without it, it will be such a huge loss.”
Ms Kidley said removing funding from a program such as STEMM will only cause larger problems in communities in the future.
“It is really scary to think what will happen without a vital program like STEMM,” Ms Kildey.
“From a financial perspective, you fund STEMM to support the young women now or we support the children of these young parents with trauma, without education, being stuck in that lower socio-economic cycle.
“One way or another the government is going to have to fund something, so why not fund STEMM and do something positive.”
Federal member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien called upon the state government to reinstate the full funding, labeling the move “careless and cruel”.
“STEMM provides a life-changing opportunity for young mums to continue their education and training, develop life and parenting skills, build healthy relationships and look after their physical and emotional wellbeing,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The State Government’s decision to axe funding for young mums on the Sunshine Coast is unforgivable.”
A spokesman for the Queensland Department of Education said no cuts had been made to funding of the STEMM program.
“There has been no cut to or cessation of departmental funding for the Supporting Teenagers for Education, Mothering and Mentoring program (STEMM),” he said.
“The department continues to provide funding for the teaching staff of the program. This is now provided as part of the school’s regular staffing allocation.
“The STEMM program is a highly valued program and is funded in conjunction with the department and community partnerships. The school also receives the regular resourcing per student for those students enrolled in the program as allocated to all enrolments.”