“The power of adult learning, especially community education, cannot be underestimated in its potential to transform people’s lives” – Minister Simon Harris TD speaking at the AONTAS Policy Event as part of the annual national Adult Learners’ Festival.
On Day 5 of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival (Friday, 5th March), 80 participants from Education and Training Boards (ETBs), community education organisations, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), academics, adult learners and policymakers joined a Policy Day event. This event was organised to bring together policy makers, adult learners, practitioners and tutors from across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, through our Network for Adult Learning Across Borders (NALAB).
As part of our advocacy work AONTAS has submitted a number of written policy documents outlining a range of recommendations to various Government Departments and statutory bodies this December. One of the most important and recent of these was the submission made to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as part of the public consultation on the new Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy 10- Year Strategy for Ireland.
AONTAS welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science’ s Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2023 consultation. The Statement of Strategy will set out how the department does its work over the next three years, and what our guiding principles are.
On Wednesday, 29th April AONTAS Members and staff met for the fifth Update and Engagement Weekly Webinar.
Another great AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement webinar with over 30 attendees from across Ireland. In this webinar we asked 'What does reopening mean for your organisation post COVID-19 restrictions?' These webinars are a space to raise concerns & solution based ideas.
A reflection on the AONTAS Member Webinars to date.
Many learners that do not have access to the internet and an appropriate device are at an immediate disadvantage. While access is a key issue, the issue of educational disadvantage in this area is complex.
