Tony Harrison, the chair of Thornton Heath’s CACFO school governors, has criticised “totally short-sighted” cuts to provision at the centre ,which provides support to students who are not succeeding in mainstream education.
CACFO, the Croydon African Caribbean Family Organisation, which was established in Northwood Road 20 years ago by Gee Bernard, has seen its education funding fall by 40 per cent and its adult care funding cut by 70 per cent.
Harrison, in an interview being broadcast at noon today on Croydon Radio, sees the local election cycle to blame for short-sighted funding decisions. Politicians see no further than “the length of their stay, say four years”, he said.
Harrison predicts extra costs for society in the future as neglected troublesome young people will become “more anti-social, more criminal minded”.
“Young people who should go into good jobs or enter into further education will end up being paid for through our judicial process,” Harrison predicts.
CACFO are being upbeat in tackling their funding shortfall by looking for volunteers with bid writing, social media and IT skills.
According to Harrison, cuts across the board to the voluntary sector means that “a lot of organisations are after the same kind of money”.
- Other recent education reports on Inside Croydon:
- Adult education chief Sloman in abrupt departure from CALAT
- Tory councillor opposes council’s plan for Arena Academy
- Angry Roke parents accuse minister of misleading over status
- Roke and a tale of “threats, bribes and fake consultations”
- Inside Croydon: For comment and analysis about Croydon, from inside Croydon – 253,473 page views Sep 2012-Feb 2013
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