Friday, 16 May, 2008

Policy Priorities

The key policy priority for AONTAS is:-

The firm establishment of the adult and community education sector as a distinct sector of the education system on a par with other sectors of the system with resources necessary to plan, develop, expand and deliver a high quality flexible service to adult learners.

Election Campaign 2007

At the closing event of the first annual Adult Learners Festival in January 2007 AONTAS launched its pre-election campaign 'Demand Your Right to Learn' which outlined ten key priorities under three headings, for adult and community education.

Structures

  • A Minister of State for Adult Education with a cross-departmental focus and budget
  • An overarching national structure for adult and community education backed by the Government, with coordinating structures at local level, led out by the VECs.

Funding

  • Increased investment in adult education of 1% of the overall education budget each year taking it to 10% by 2013, a capital expenditure budget for adult education with an initial spend of €12m, allocated through the VECs. A doubling of investment in community education and in adult literacy, and at least €45m between now and 2013 to develop and expand the Adult Educational Guidance service.
  • Increased investment for the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). People earning less than €35,000 should not have to pay any course fees to participate in the BTEI.

Supports

  • Abolition of fees for part-time courses in higher education
  • Paid educational leave for workers with Junior Certificate qualifications or less
  • Childcare allowances as an integral part of all adult and community education programmes plus a doubling of the allowance from €63.50 to €127.00.
  • Eligibility criteria for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) revised to include low-paid workers. plus payments a full 12 months instead of the academic year.
  • Establishment of the Inter-Agency Working Group on qualifications for adult educators.
  • Establishment of a national forum for all parties involved in the education and training of adults with special educational needs.

Outcomes from the Campaign

  • The appointment of a Minister of State with responsibility for Lifelong Learning across the Departments of Education and Science, and Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • The collection of over 1500 signatures on the 'Demand Your Right to Learn' petition.
  • Over 20 parliamentary questions raised in Dáil Éireann before on the topic of adult learning.
  • Stated commitments in the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour election manifestoes to abolish fees for part-time courses at higher level.
  • A joint commitment in the Fine Gael / Labour strategy on tax and jobs to introduce two weeks annual paid training leave, targeted at low-skilled workers.
  • The government announcement before the election that the eligibility criteria for the Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) would be changed from 1 September 2007 onwards, so that people on low incomes will no longer have to pay fees to participate in the BTEI.
  • Pledges from Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party and Sinn Féin to reinstate the National Adult Learning Council if in government after the election.
  • A commitment in the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael election manifestoes to provide dedicated funding for English language training for speakers of other languages
  • A commitment in Labour's election manifesto to provide a dedicated annual budget for women's community education.

For further information contact: Adele McKenna, Policy & Research Officer amckenna@aontas.com