Launch of 'Demand Your Right To Learn' Campaign
26 Jan 2007 12:01 PM
AONTAS unveiled 10 key demands to the government and opposition parties at an event in Buswell's Hotel, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 this morning. Amongst other things, the organisation demanded that:
- Fees for part-time learners in higher education should be abolished
- Paid educational leave should be introduced for workers with Junior Certificate qualifications or less
- The Minister for Adult Education should have a cross-departmental brief that would include Community Affairs, Enterprise and Employment, Social and Family Affairs and Equality, as well as Education and Science
- Investment in adult education should increase by 1% of the overall education budget each year between now and 2013, and
- Overarching coordinating structures for adult education should be put in place at local and national level
Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS, presented the organisation's full list of demands at the 'Demand Your Right To Learn' event in Buswell's. Politicians from all parties were given the chance to respond to the list and outline how their parties would develop adult education if in government after the next election.
Politicians in attendance included Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Adult Education; Olwyn Enright TD, Fine Gael; Jan O'Sullivan TD, Labour; Seán Crowe TD, Sinn Féin; and Eileen McDermott from the Green Party's Education Working Group.
Professor Tom Collins, Head of Education at NUI Maynooth, also made an input at the event and outlined his support for AONTAS' demands.
Commenting on the event, Berni Brady said: "We have now given all political parties the chance to demonstrate their commitment to adult education in advance of the forthcoming general election. Over 300,000 people are engaged in adult learning in Ireland and, over the coming months, AONTAS will be mobilising this sizeable section of the population to ensure they demand their right to learn and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the general election to ensure the next government of Ireland provides the structures, supports and investment that the adult education sector so badly needs."
