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"Are barriers to learning Holding You Back?"

The ‘Holding You Back’ campaign, running from Monday 2nd September – Friday 6th September, shows the barriers to learning that are holding people back from the education and the life they want.  

Our research shows that the high cost of education is preventing adults in Ireland from going back to or staying in education.

Almost 1 in 3 adults we surveyed said they need more financial support. 

We have heard from adult learners who have been forced to choose between heating their homes and funding their education, leaving their courses to pay for their rent, and sleeping in vans due to unaffordable accommodation. There are also stereotypes and stigmas that prevent people from learning, such as racism or ageism.  

  

What's happening? 

We  are calling on the Irish Government to remove the financial barriers to learning that are holding people back.

They can do this by increasing food, travel, and accommodation allowances for adult learners; increasing social welfare payments in line with the real cost of living; and creating one source of information on financial supports.    

Learning should be a realistic option for everyone, from any background and at any age.

Our campaign will include a national media and social media campaign, directing people to get involved by heading to aontas.com/holdingyouback 

Support the campaign 

 

Emmet Kirwan backs our campaign

We're delighted to have as Emmet Kirwan as our campaign spokesperson. Emmet is an Irish actor, playwright, screenwriter, and activist. Speaking about the barriers holding people back in education, Emmet said:  

“It's a lot easier to do well in education if you live in a stable household or area, and not in poverty. It’s easier to be able to study and do well in school or a course. When people are living in precarious situations, whether that’s housing, medical, or financial difficulties, it’s very hard to do well. It’s not that easy if you're living in emergency accommodation, for example, to study if you’re sharing a room with your whole family.”

Campaign Mural by street artist Emmalane Blake on display on Southcircular Road 

As part of the Holding You Back campaign, we commissioned amazing street artist Emmalane Blake to create a striking mural in Dublin city centre, demonstrating the barriers to learning that are holding people back in education. Head down to Southcircular Road to check in out - it is just beside Tesco Metro. 

 

Take a picture and share it using #HoldingYouBack

Find it at: 102 S Circular Rd, Portobello, Dublin, D08 X762 

 

Show Your Support on Social Media 

Reshare or repost AONTAS’ social media posts on the campaign 

Share your own story/thoughts on the financial barriers holding adults back from education on your own social media 

Use the hashtag #HoldingYouBack  

 

Sample social media posts: 

Education should be accessible to all adults, not just those who can afford it. Let's tackle the financial barriers preventing quality education for all

#HoldingYouBack

Find out more: (website link) 

 

80 cent – what would that buy you for lunch? That’s the daily meal allowance for further education and training learners. Join AONTAS in calling on the Government to increase allowances for adult learners.

#HoldingYouBack

Learn how you can get involved: (website link) 

 

You can’t learn if you can’t afford your rent. You can’t learn if you can’t afford to heat your home. You can’t learn if can’t afford childcare.

Find out what else could be #HoldingYouBack from the education you deserve at (website) 

 

Tag us on X/TwitterFacebookInstagram and LinkedIn 

Use our hashtag: #HoldingYouBack  

 

Sign our petition: 

An easy and impactful way to support the Holding You Back campaign is to sign our petition.

Every signature adds more weight to making real change for adult learners: 

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/great-financial-support-for-adult-learners  

 

Together, we can tackle the barriers holding people back from education.

Together, we can create an education system that is accessible for all