A Melton council initiative to provide a scholarship to year 11 students at 18 schools in the municipality has been labelled “unfair” and “inequitable”.
Council will provide a scholarship to one year 11 student per school in the municipality as part of this year’s mayoral community initiative program
Each secondary and specialist school will nominate one year 11 student for a council-funded scholarship of up to $2000, with remaining funds allocated going towards a leadership event.
The objectives of the program include identifying and supporting emerging leaders; reducing inequities in access to leadership and education opportunities; and helping to promote confidence and local engagement.
However, the scholarship will only be available to students at Melton-based schools, excluding students who attend schools outside the municipality, including those in Diggers Rest who are zoned to schools in other municipalities.
At the July 28 council meeting, councillor John Verdon clarified with council that contact was not made with the Department of Education to understand the school zoning policy and the impact this has on residents, and that council did consider that in Jackwood Ward where there are no secondary schools zoned for the Melton municipality.
“I’m really, really concerned about ratepayer funds and the inequitable allocation of those funds across the municipality,” Cr Verdon said.
In a letter to council, Diggers Rest resident David O’Connor said that while he commended the initiative’s intent, he believes the eligibility criteria unintentionally excludes an entire group of students within the municipality.
“This condition creates an unfair disadvantage for Diggers Rest youth, who have no control over the availability of local schooling options. It also conflicts with the stated aims of the initiative,” Mr O’Connor said.
He requested council consider amending the eligibility criteria based on place of residence rather than school location.
Mayor Steve Abboushi said the current model provides access to as many Melton students as possible, and attempting to include students who attend schools outside of the municipality would require funding to be provided to an unknown number of schools outside of it.
“The program will be reviewed at the conclusion of its first year, and eligibility for any future rounds of the program will form part of that review,” Cr Abboushi said.
