AONTAS calls on government to allocate an extra €80 million to adult and community education in 2008
13 Nov 2007 11:37 AM
In the lead up to the budget, AONTAS is calling on the government to prioritise four of the demands from our original 'Demand Your Right to Learn' campaign:-
- Implementation of the government commitment as promised in Towards 2016 'to put in place a targeted fund to alleviate the fees in public institutions for part-time courses at third level by those at work who have not previously pursued a third level qualification.' AONTAS calls on the government to allocate €20m as a start-up fund which would give those in part time higher level education parity of esteem with full time students.
- A revision of the eligibility criteria for the Back to Education Allowance to include low paid workers.
- An extra €4m to support the development and expansion of the Adult Education Guidance Initiative.
- A doubling of childcare supports for VTOS, Youthreach, Senior Travellers Training Centres and Back to Education Initiative programmes from €6,350,000 to €13m.
Speaking at the launch of its Budget Submission Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS said, 'If the government is serious about its commitment to enhancing competitiveness in the Irish economy and building a more inclusive society through education and training then it must make a quantum leap in investment in lifelong learning opportunities. Currently more than 400,000 members of the workforce (28%) have less than upper second level education with a high percentage working in low skilled jobs.
Adult learners face a number of obstacles if they want to access or continue with further education. These four priorities will build on the access to learning opportunities afforded by programmes such as the National Adult Literacy Programme, the Back to Education Initiative, VTOS and the Post Leaving Certificate Programme.
It is vital that adult and community education continue to receive increased levels of funding in the next Budget', continued Ms Brady. 'The government has a real opportunity in this budget to contribute to growth in our economy, through investment in lifelong learning for people in low paid or low skilled employment, and to support the increasing number of adult learners who wish to access education and continue their own development through further education initiatives.'
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer, AONTAS:
01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
Note to Editor:
1.AONTAS Budget 2008 Demands:
- Parity of Esteem for Part Time Students through the provision of free fees for part time education
- A revision of the eligibility criteria for the Back to Education Allowance to include low paid workers
- An extra €4 million investment in the Adult Education Guidance Initiative
- A doubling of the childcare allowance for learners on education and training programmes
2. AONTAS Demand Your Right to Learn Campaign was launched in advance of the general election 2007. For more information see www.aontas.com
3. AONTAS will showcase the value of adult and community education during the 2008 Adult Learners Festival which runs from February 4th to 8th. For more information on the Festival visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com
3. The Back to Education Initiative was introduced in 2002 and provides opportunities for adult learners to engage in part time, flexible, second chance education activities.
