Developments in Community Education
While community education has been a form of adult education since the 1980s in Ireland, it has been seen as the poor relation to adult and further education. The White Paper -Learning for Life 2000 was the first government document to put community education firmly on the agenda.
The community based sector is described as "amongst the most dynamic, creative and relevant components of adult education provision in Ireland" and the White Paper also acknowledges the contribution of community education providers in reaching large numbers of participants frequently in disadvantaged settings.
Community education benefitted from this policy paper in the form of the following developments;
The Community Education Facilitators
A national team of 37 Community Education Facilitators were appointed and placed in the VECs to support the development of community education at local level.
Community Education Facilitators Training and Support Programme
AONTAS provides ongoing professional development training for the Community Education Facilitators. The programme is supported by a national steering group and is developed yearly through consultation with the CEFs.
The Back To Education Initiative-Part-time (BTEI)
The BTEI provides part time opportunities to return to learning for adults and provide a re-entry route for those in the workplace who wish to upgrade their skills. BTEI seeks to offer a wider range of choices and expand provision of courses leading to FETAC accreditation. 10% of this strand is specifically allocated to community education providers.
Adult Education Guidance Service
The Adult Education Guidance Service provides an essential service to adults at local level which offers information, assessment, advice, counselling and career/education progression guidance of which community education learners are a client group.
Community education is also supported by a range of other Departments and agencies for the anti-poverty and equality work carried out.
