Time to put Adult Education under the Spotlight', says Minister for Lifelong Learning
28 Nov 2007 11:38 AM
'On the whole, further education plays a central role in promoting people's life chances and this is the key message we must communicate', he said speaking at the opening of the AONTAS General Meeting which took place today, November 28th at the Royal Dublin Hotel. At the meeting the Minister also officially launched the new AONTAS Resource Pack for adult learners. 'I will continue to promote the needs of the adult and further education sector among government colleagues when funding and policy issues are being decided, to ensure that they remain a focus,' promised the Minister.
The Minister highlighted the progress that had been made to date in his new role which cuts across both the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. 'Following my announcement in April, adults with less than upper level second level education have been able to access BTEI (Back to Education Initiative) courses for free since 1st September', he pointed out. 'This is exactly the kind of change I am aiming to bring about and other demands will be progressed as resources permit.'
AONTAS Director Berni Brady welcomed the Ministers commitment to working together with AONTAS and the community and adult education sector to promote a strong culture of lifelong learning in Ireland. She acknowledged the progress that had been made by the Department in the introduction of supports such as the Adult Guidance Initiative and the Back to Education Initiative, but cautioned that these initiatives were still very young. 'Ireland still has the biggest low skilled workforce across the OECD countries, 'she continued. 'These initiatives were introduced very recently and will need some time to become embedded. Equally important to economic growth is the development of a strong civil society and adult and community education play a key role in this regard.'
AONTAS is calling on the government to increase the resources available to the adult education sector by 1% each year, so that by 2013 funding available to the sector would amount to a total of 10% of the overall education budget. In Budget 2008, this would require the government to allocate an additional €80 million to the adult education sector.
'The expansion of services under the Adult Guidance Initiative would dramatically increase participation in further education, particularly by disadvantaged groups' she explained. 'There has been no increase in childcare support for further education since 1988. The adult and community education sector uses resources very effectively. Imagine the difference the sector could make with an increase in funding. We look forward to continuing to work with the Minister and his Department to provide more opportunities for adults wishing to avail of further education, and hope for a favourable outcome in Budget 2008.'
ENDS
- AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. AONTAS is a non-government membership organisation, established in 1969. Its mission is to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to contribute to and participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society.
- For a copy of AONTAS Pre-Budget Submission contact Niamh Farren, Communications Officer.
- The AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival will take place from February 4th to 8th 2008. The theme of the festival is 'Learning Matters'. For more information see www.adultlearnersfestival.com
