Micheal urges government to ‘Make Learning Matter’
1 Feb 2008 04:47 PM
Today, Micheal O'Muircheartaigh will be supporting AONTAS call to the government to 'Make Learning Matter'. Micheal will give the keynote address at the STAR Awards Ceremony for adult learning projects, which takes place at Dublin Castle at 11 am on Monday February 4th, the first day of the AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival.
Micheal explained 'As AONTAS literature proclaims, 'Make Learning Matter' is a fine ideal, and as such deserves far greater government funding, plus meaningful promotion by state agencies. It is encouraging to look at the projects nominated, and the wide variety of subject matter among them is highly commendable. As examples, what could be more appropriate in these times that the IILT (Integrate Ireland Language and Training ) project directed at language learning for immigrants or indeed the Soilse project highlighting the importance of education in recovering from addiction.'
Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey will officially open the festival, which runs all week from February 4th to February 8th. Over a hundred events will take place from Belfast to Beara, all designed to give people the opportunity to think about going back to education. The last day of the Festival will see a live audience of practitioners in adult education and adult learners interact with the current spokespersons in Opposition and Government, and highlight the immediate priorities for the sector. According to Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS, 'We're concerned about a number of issues which impact on the development of the adult education sector. These include the lack of financial supports for adult learners, as well as the need for better co-ordination of the sector and increased resources. We're also calling on the government to abolish part time fees in third level. The cost of part time fees, coupled with unrealistic criteria for the Back to Education Allowance, means that getting a third level qualification is out of the question for many workers on low incomes.'
'The festival is also a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of organisations and individual learners, all around the country', she added. 'We had over 130 projects nominated for the STAR awards initiative this year. These projects provide opportunities to develop the kinds of transferable skills that are vital in the workplace but also in society - like the ability to analyse, think critically, to solve problems and to be flexible. These skills are the building blocks of a strong economy and an inclusive society.'
Projects which will receive STAR awards on Monday include
- Survival English (Connaught Local); (Series of Radio programmes targeting migrants)
- Soilse (Dublin County); (Education for Recovering Drug Addicts)
- Inter Community Partnership (Leinster Provincial); (Cross Border Learning Project)
- Community Education Section WIT (Munster Provincial); (Third level qualifications in community work)
- The Shout Project (Ulster Provincial); (Young people with Down Syndrome Raising Awareness)
- Integrate Ireland Language and Training Project (Nationwide); (Language training for immigrants)
- North Leitrim Womens Centre CDP (Connaught Provincial); (Training and education for rural women)
- Kilbarrack Coast Community Project (Dublin Local); (Training and education for recovering addicts)
- Parents Education Programme (Leinster Local); (Literacy/Education training for parents)
- Parent Support Programme (Munster Local); (Support services for parents in isolation)
- Letterkenny Community Project (Ulster Local) (Community services for elderly etc)
Activities which suit all interests are planned throughout the week - of course they include open days and information sessions for the practical information on adult learning, but why not use the opportunity to try something new - learn how to make a digital story, browse through one of the many Learners' Fairs, or sign up for a guest lecture on anything from stress management to globalisation. This year AONTAS is also offering a text message facility for anyone interested in going back to education - just text INFO followed by your name and address to 53377 and you will receive a copy of the AONTAS Information Booklet which tells you all you need to know about adult education.
For full listings on festival events happening in your area, visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com.
ENDS
For More Information and media queries, contact:
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
Note to Editors
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation, 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.
