Mature Times - Further Education Cuts

Why the drop in adult learning? I'll tell you why!

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:54:19 +0100

You say there has been a drop in the number of adult learners - the drop has actually been in the number of courses. This Government is concentrating on basic education for the 16 - 18 year olds - something which they should have received between the ages of 6 - 16 so they don't have the funding for the "mature" students.

Where are the lost learners? You tell us!

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:43 +0100

Over the past two years there has been a fall of nearly one and a half million adult learners on publicly funded courses, so the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) has launched a nationwide search to find out what has happened to them. They are asking Mature Times' readers to share their experiences of adult learning.

Some good news for adult learners

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:22:06 +0000

Following the disastrous collapse of community education and loss of affordable classes - even the expensive ones have been lost - the GOOD news is that the government is looking at the value of leisure learning for adults.

Ageism legislation scuppers Adult Learners' fees

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:28:22 +0000

Earlier this year, Mature Times reader David Newman placed a petition on the Number 10 website, asking the Prime Minister to stop local councils from using ageism legislation to justify ending the reduction in fees for pensioners who attend adult learning classes. The Government decribes their actions as "unfortunate".

"Adult education contracting"

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:15:24 +0100

The choice of Adult Education classes is contracting. My centre refurbished the kitchen where cookery classes were popular - and then axed the courses. Even computer courses have been cut back, although the use of computers in public libraries remains free. Other subjects such as writing have been hit hard, too. Is this a pattern throughout the country?

Petition launched to protest adult learning cuts

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:11:47 +0000

A petition has been launched on the “Number 10” website to protest the cuts in subsidies of adult learning classes.

Want to learn? Then sign up!

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:45:44 +0100

As reported in last month’s MT, a national petition to secure the future of learning for older people is gathering pace with over 35,000 signatures – but more support is still needed.

Old dogs, new tricks?

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:28:09 +0100

The Older and Bolder group of NIACE is keen to point out to members that many Local Authorities were considering cutting funding to adult education for older people, and have urged members to look at their local provision to find out what cuts are envisioned.

Learning crisis for adults

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:19:17 +0000

Alan Tuckett of NIACE says that the future of adult learning is under threat. There could be as many as one million fewer adult learning places over the next two years and there's already been a drop of 23% of people over 60 learning.

Pensioners take learning protest to Parliament

Sat, 21 May 2005 12:49:28 +0100

Help the Aged, The WI and the National Pensioners Convention are among those protesting Government funding plans for colleges which will hit older learners particularly hard.

“50+ courses under threat”

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:38:02 +0100

Cuts already planned this September to courses for adults will mean that many older people will find that, if the course is still running, the fees may be up to 20% higher. Both cuts and price hikes will worsen further from 2005.