The Otago Peninsula Trust has since joined the growing list of Dunedin organisations who have had their long-time funding cut by the ministry.
Like the museum and the ecosanctuary staff, Otago Peninsula Trust chief executive officer Robyn McDonald was both dismayed and disappointed by the decision and she was now trying to work out how the education programmes at the Albatross Centre would operate in the foreseeable future.
She declined to say how much money had been cut.
"I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to effect any change, but I can say it’s not a decision that is top of our hit parade."
The ministry has cut the museum’s $80,000 enriching local curriculum (ELC) funding, and the ecosanctuary’s $70,000 ELC funding, meaning the organisations will no longer be able to provide free education tours to school pupils.
Museum director Dr Ian Griffin said it was "a massive kick in the guts" for them and schools, and meant from July 1, the museum would be introducing a $10-per-pupil admission charge.
Mrs Nicolson said the education programmes were widely used by Dunedin and rural schools, but if admission fees were applied, it would make it too expensive for many schools.
"There will be schools that won’t be able to fund $10 per child because it’s not just the $10 per child, you’ve got to get the kids there and back.
"So if you’re relying on a bus — those prices have gone through the roof this year — you could be looking easily at $600 a class to a visit to the museum or Orokonui."
She said the cost could not be passed on to parents because it was a curriculum-based activity, and schools could not legally charge for them.
"So it’s got to come out of our magic operations grant funding which is already under significant stress."
Schools only learnt of the funding cuts earlier this week and many schools already had visits booked for next term.
She said some of those schools may not be able to afford the unexpected cost, and a significant number of Dunedin and Otago schools would have to do feasibility studies around whether they can actually afford to do these trips in the future.
The education programmes were really meaningful for the pupils, and she was disappointed that many pupils would miss out.
She said visits to the museum or the ecosanctuary provided sights, sounds and smells that could not be experienced in a classroom.
"It will leave a significant void in their learning."
Like the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, the New Zealand Marine Science Centre is negotiating with the ministry for an ELC contract.
Ministry of Education pathways and progress associate leader Pauline Cleaver said 146 providers submitted proposals - 72 were successful within the fixed funding available.
Of the Otago Southland providers that applied, five were successful and five were not.
All proposals were evaluated by three panels, which included representatives with experience in early learning, Maori engagement, Pacific engagement and culture and heritage.
