Community Education

Community education often helps people who have been let down by the traditional education system in Ireland, and who need some care and guidance to get back into learning again, or take up a class for the first time. 77% of community education learners are women and more than half of learners are over 55 years of age. Many people come from homes and communities where staying in school or going to college just doesn’t happen. Or people have a lot to cope with, including disabilities, caring responsibilities, or the impact of the pandemic or the cost-of-living crisis. Many people are impacted by addiction. Many are living in Direct Provision. Many people – an increasing number – find themselves homeless. These people cannot be ignored in the Irish education system. Community education can be a place of safety for them, and offer a way to learn that is tailored to encourage them to believe in themselves and discover their own potential.