Cutting of Night Classes Short-sighted

Government's Cutting of Night Classes Short-sighted

Community Learning Association through Schools

"The Government appears not to be aware of the value-for-money of the country's ACE or night class programme and the contribution our sector already makes to meeting the country's education priorities" says Maryke Fordyce, president of CLASS (Community Learning through Schools) in response to a statement released by the Acting Minister of Education this week.

"He has claimed that the Government is committed to ACE and that the school are over-reacting to the axing of funding for night classes, announced in the May Budget. Our sector has been cut completely, apart from 20% of the funding, which will go to a small number of schools for literacy, numeracy and foundation skills. We had no warning of these cuts and Government made no attempt to consult with us on how we could maintain our programmes in the current economic situation. Like all NZers, our sector was prepared to do our bit but we weren't even asked", said Ms Fordyce.

"Night class programmes in schools (which cost the country only 0.6% of the total tertiary education budget of $2.77 billion) are already helping people gain the skills they need to re-enter the workforce and work towards further qualifications".

Night class organisers in most schools around the country have noted an increase in enrolments in 2009, compared with the same period last year - in a recession, people are investing their time and money in education and self-improvement, which can only be of benefit to NZ and the wider economy. "The relatively small amount of money allocated to schools to run ACE courses provides a subsidy to enable people to further their education - we have countless stories of adults who have attended night-school and gone on to further tertiary studies. Night classes invests $16 million for the benefit over 200,000 learners yet $35 million is set to go to the privileged and select few in private schools.

We are currently campaigning to get the Government to reconsider their decision - they have under-estimated both the level of outrage at these cuts and the community's resolve to fight for the retention of a part of our education system, loved and used by hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders for over 100 years."

ENDS

© Scoop Media