New president of National Adult Learning Organisation highlights social aspect of adult education
8 May 2008 10:52 AM
At the AGM of AONTAS today at the Royal Dublin Hotel, the National Adult Learning Organisation, newly elected President Marian Duffy, Adult Education Officer with Co. Carlow VEC welcomed current initiatives to upskilling the workforce, but encouraged adult and community education organisations not to forget the social vision within their work. 'It is adult and community education initiatives that provide a coping mechanism for people when external factors change', she said, addressing an audience of one hundred adult and community education practitioners from around the country.
The meeting considered the main challenges for adult learners and the adult/community education sector in Ireland today. Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS pointed out that while progress had been made since the general election in expanding the criteria of the Back to Education Initiative to people on low salaries, there was still much to be done to make learning more accessible for adults. 'Information queries handled by AONTAS indicate the need for flexible learning opportunities', she explained. 'The new Student Support Bill refers to 'appropriate courses', which in reality means full time courses. We are concerned that this may prevent mature students from accessing financial supports for part time study options,' she concluded.
The needs of immigrant adult learners were also highlighted through a presentation from the Integrate Ireland Language and Training Programme, which delivers 'real life' training to immigrants throughout Ireland. Emer Gilmartin, Executive Manager with the IILT listed childcare as one of the biggest obstacles to encouraging adult immigrants to access further education. 'If you have children whose mothers can't access childcare to further their own education, then those children already have limited access to learning English', she pointed out. ' Straight away you are building a ghetto.'
The AGM saw a number of new faces taking up positions on the AONTAS Executive. Positions were filled by members of the organisation from Tuam, Longford, Dublin and Laois. While a number of members were re-elected to the Executive, AONTAS also thanked outgoing Acting President Brid Connolly (NUI Maynooth), and Treasurer Paddy Nolan (Wexford VEC), both of whom formally stepped down from the Executive Board. John Ryan (City Of Limerick VEC) and outgoing President of AONTAS was re-elected to the Executive.
ENDS
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Note to Editor
AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. AONTAS is a non-government membership organisation, established in 1969. The organisation's 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. AONTAS is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. AONTAS represents over 600 members, ranging from statutory providers of adult education, such as VECs and third level institutions, to voluntary providers of community education, to individual adult learners and those with a general interest in adult education. The role of AONTAS is to work towards improving the adult education sector in Ireland through policy development, promoting the benefits of adult education and research
