Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does AONTAS offer?
2. How is AONTAS organised?
3. What’s happening in adult education?
4. Who are the main providers of adult education in Ireland?
5. How many people participate in adult education in Ireland?
6. What opportunities are available for adult learners?
1. What does AONTAS offer?
AONTAS:
- promotes adult education as a key to lifelong learning
- influences and participates in policy development
- represents the voice of adult learners at national level
- organises regional and national meetings for its members
- supports the work of members
- provides information to members and the general public
- provides an information referral service to adult learners
- establishes links with other key organisations
- collects information and undertakes research
- develops a learning culture within the organisation
- works in partnership with the VECs and the Department of Education and Science to deliver a support programme to the Community Education Facilitators
For more details, see the AONTAS Strategic Plan 2007-2010.
2. How is AONTAS organised?
AONTAS is a membership based organisation, a registered charity, and a Non-Government Organisation (NGO). Any organisation, group or individual involved in the provision, promotion or advancement of adult education may apply for membership. AONTAS has a core staff, based in Dublin, which is responsible for the day-to-day work of the organisation.
AONTAS is guided in its work by an Executive Committee, which is responsible for the overall maintenance and wellbeing of the Association. AONTAS receives its core funding from the Department of Education and Science. For further information visit the who we are section on this site.
3. What’s happening in adult education?
Adult education has just come through one of the most significant periods of development in its history. The publication of the White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, 2000 set the scene for the development of a holistic adult education service, and earmarked specific resources for it.
The investment of resources in the National Adult Literacy Programme, the Back to Education Initiative, the Adult Education Guidance Initiative and the Community Education Facilitators has already increased participation in, and demand for, accessible learning opportunities for adults.
Ireland now has a policy framework within which lifelong learning has a chance of becoming a reality. However, six years on from the publication of the White Paper, many of its key recommendations have not yet been implemented, and the 2006 Budget paid scant attention to adult education. Much remains to be done in terms of creating a permanent, mainstream adult education sector and in allocating significant resources to fund it. AONTAS hopes to see the necessary levels of investment allocated to adult education under the next National Development Plan (2007-2013), and is currently spearheading a campaign to put adult education back on the national policy agenda.
AONTAS believes that national policy objectives, both social and economic, can be achieved, in large part, through investment in adult education. Huge progress has been made in the adult education sector over the last decade. What we need now is an expansion of the existing successful programmes, development of new programmes and services, and a proper structural framework to reflect our changed environment.
For further information on what's happening in adult education visit the policy section of our website.
4. Who are the main providers of adult education in Ireland?
The main providers of adult education in Ireland are the Vocational Education Committees (VECs), through local schools and colleges. Third level colleges also provide a wide range of courses, mainly on a fee-paying basis. (For a full listing of the main third level colleges in Ireland see our Information Booklet.) Community education groups nationwide also offer a variety of courses, catering for learners at all levels, from pre-foundation right up to third level.
5. How many people participate in adult education in Ireland?
Every year approximately 300,000 adults participate in education in both formal and informal settings in Ireland. There is no formal comprehensive database of statistics for participation in adult and community education courses available nationally, but AONTAS endeavours to maintain relevant statistics on an ongoing basis.
6. What opportunities are available for adult learners?
There are lots of options for returning to education. For more information on everything from adult basic education to distance learning options, click here.
