YOUNG people in Maidstone and Malling will miss out on opportunities to develop vital life skills under Labour’s plans to cut funding for cadet schemes in schools such as Maidstone Grammar School.
In 2012, the Conservative Government launched the Cadet Expansion Programme to give pupils the opportunity to build skills such as resilience, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership skills.
Disappointingly, this Labour Government has chosen to cut the additional School Staff Instructor (SSI) funding grant, meaning that some schools may no longer be able to employ SSIs.
Whilst these cuts represent a small sum for the Treasury, they will deprive many children of learning the skills they need for a brighter future. This cruel cut comes on top of Labour’s Education Tax that will reduce choice in education, making clear that this government does not have the interests of school children at heart.
Commenting, Helen Grant said:
“I know the critical role that cadet units in schools in Maidstone and Malling play in teaching our young people the skills they need to navigate day-to-day life and in setting them up for the future. Real fears have been expressed to me that the cadets experience is being reduced and the future of cadets is at risk though a recruitment crisis in volunteers who give their time to support cadets.
“The Labour Government’s decision to cut additional funding for School Staff Instructors will lead to a decline in cadet numbers across the country, evidencing that Labour are not serious about setting our young people up for success.”
Commenting, Paul Highway, Contingent Commander of the CCF at Maidstone Grammar School, said:
“The benefits of the Cadet Forces to young people and the wider society are well documented. It is therefore frustrating to see budget cuts that harm our ability to deliver the cadet experience.”
