AONTAS criticises Minister Hanafin’s vision of a culture of learning
24 Jan 2008 09:52 AM
AONTAS believes it is essential that a large pool of qualified workers is necessary to strengthen and develop the Irish economy. The National Skills Strategy reports that we need to support 330,000 people who have not completed second level education to move at least one level up in the National Qualification Framework, with a further 170,000 needing to upskill to level 6-10.
'In order to achieve this, we need to think laterally about education', added Ms Brady. 'While the Ministers approach in relation to embedding this culture within a formal education setting is of course necessary, adult and community education is crucial to providing a valuable entry point for adult learners wanting to improve their skills and qualifications. There are serious question to be asked about the quality of the education system which has led to the high numbers of workers who have not completed second level education in the first place.'
Furthermore the high spending on targeted disadvantage at school level has not led to any significant decrease in educational disadvantage. The report of the Educational Disadvantage Committee, 'Beyond Educational Disadvantage' in 2005 recommended a much broader integrated approach to lifelong learning but was largely ignored in favour of DEIS which focuses on school education. The Committee itself was not reinstated after its first term of office. These actions beg the question of just how committed the Minister is to a culture of Lifelong Learning.
While AONTAS estimates that some 300,000 adults take up some form of learning each year, these numbers could be greatly increased if additional supports were made available. 'Many members of the workforce face practical obstacles in combining a career with study' explained Ms Brady. 'Take for example the issue of part time fees - someone in full time employment who wants to pursue a third level qualification part time while working is required to pay fees, in contrast to those taking the same qualification on a full time basis. In addition, many members of the workforce most in need of further education opportunities, for example those employed in the building and construction sector, often do not qualify for financial supports available such as the Back to Education Allowance.'
On February 4th, Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey will launch the second National Adult Learners' Festival at Dublin Castle. An exciting number of events will take place around the country all during the week, and the Festival will conclude with a panel discussion entitled 'Learning Matters - Keeping Learning on the Political Agenda.' This discussion will be chaired by RTE's Rachael English and will feature an input from the current Education Spokespersons in Government and the Opposition, as well as a presentation from Siemens Ireland which will demonstrate the benefits of lifelong learning in the business sector.
For more information contact
Niamh Farren Communications Officer
01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
NOTE TO EDITOR
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation which represents over six hundred groups and individuals in the adult and community education sector.
2. The AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival runs from February 4th to February 8th 2008. For more information visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com
