April Morgan (21) has Newcastle syndrome. Three times a week, she attends a programme at the Community Learning Centre run by Logan Park High School at the former King Edward Technical College building on Stuart St.
April's mother, Teresa Richards, said she and the parents of the centre's 18 other pupils were informed this week funding for the programme had been cut and the centre would be closed at the end of the year.
Miss Richards is angry and upset because the loss of the programme may ultimately mean a loss in the quality of life for her daughter.
"I'm livid and gutted. It's three days a week where my daughter gets up on her own. It's something she really looks forward to, and she's part of the community.
"Taking this away is not fair. These people have enough trouble in their lives as it is."
Miss Richards said it was the only programme of its kind in Dunedin and she did not know what she would do without it.
"It provides her with morning talks, crafts, she learns to cook and go shopping.
"It gives them some independence by helping them to do things for themselves in the community - to do things that most people take for granted." Logan Park High School principal Jane Johnson was also devastated by the announcement.
She said the school took over administration of the programme from Otago Girls' High School in 2000, and it had been "a very happy and productive relationship" for Logan Park.
She believed the funding cut was "very sad and short-sighted" because the Government would ultimately have to pay for day care for the pupils, which would be far more expensive.
"The programme gives parents a bit of respite while their children are looked after for three days a week."
A Ministry of Education spokesman said a ministry resourcing audit found the school's Community Learning Centre appeared to be operating outside the Adult Student in Secondary Education policy.
"On that basis, the Logan Park High School board of trustees was advised that operational funding and staffing would cease from the end of 2012.
"The board was encouraged to respond in writing by September 1 if it believed it was in fact operating in accordance with the policy.
"The board was told that if it could verify and provide evidence that the Community Learning Centre is operating in accordance with the Adult Student in Secondary Education policy, the decision would be reconsidered.
"The ministry has not, to date, received any reply, but remains open to receiving verification."
