New President elected at AONTAS AGM
The AONTAS AGM took place on May 7th 2008 at the Royal Dublin Hotel with one hundred practitioners from the adult and community education sector in attendance. The achievements of outgoing officers Brid Connolly and John Ryan were celebrated, and a new Officer Board elected. Marian Duffy, Adult Education Officer with Co Carlow VEC was appointed President, Cllr Maria Gorman was re-elected Treasurer of the organisation and Ruth Smith of Tipperary Womens' Network takes up the position of Secretary. Former President John Ryan was relected to the Executive. For a press release about the event, click here. To download a copy of our Annual Report, click here. To find out more about the new AONTAS executive, click here.
Mature Student calls on Oireachtas Committee to review criteria for grant scheme
Paul Gogarty with a copy of Stephen Stewart's Modest Policy Proposal on the Top-Off Grant
On Thursday April 25th, members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science heard a presentation about the contradictions of the Back to Education Allowance. Stephen Stewart, an adult learner, and member of AONTAS, the Adult Learners' Organisation, explained to the Committee how he will graduate later this year with a debt of €20,000. Currently, a mature student from a low paid background is only entitled to €4,103 per year, while a mature student on social welfare may be entitled to up to €25,266 per year. 'Over a three year degree course this leads to a €63, 489 disparity in essential support' says Stephen.
To read a copy of Stephens proposal, click here. To read more about the Committee's discussion on the Student Support Bill click here. To hear a NEAR fm podcast where Stephen gave a presentation to the Education Spokespersons from Government and Opposition at the Adult Learners' Festival, click here.
Towards a Definition of Community Education
Deciding on a definition of community education
The latest meeting of the Community Education Network was held on March 12th 2007.The theme of the meeting was ‘Agreeing a definition of Community Education for the Community Education Network’. This definition will inform the future promotional and lobbying work of the network. Over forty practitioners active in community education around the country took part in the meeting. For more information click here.
