Giant raspberry blown at ACE cuts

Media Release
October 1, 2009

Giant raspberry blown at ACE cuts

Successive New Zealand governments survived two world wars and global depression – without having to cut night classes, CLASS (community learning association through schools) president Maryke Fordyce said.

Her dismay at the current government’s plans to slash 80% of adult community education (ACE) funding was reflected by participants at PPTA’s annual conference – with an attempt to blow the world’s biggest raspberry.

Six hundred orange, yellow and black balloons emblazoned with ‘Stop Night Class Cuts’ were let go in response to the question ‘What do we think of ACE cuts?”
Whizzing around the room as they deflated, they made a noise that expressed conference-goers distaste at what Fordyce described as “savage cuts.”

Past governments recognised the importance of ACE classes and adopted a collaborative approach with the community, Fordyce said.
“But not this government - which insists on cutting night classes.
“The community has had nothing to do with it – the government’s priorities are not the communities’ priorities, she said.

ACE classes are accessible at a community and a school level – there are no pre-requisites for entry and they provide a building block for people who would not otherwise be engaged in education.

Fordyce talked about the educational, economic and intergenerational benefits provided by ACE classes and said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure availability and accessibility of education for all.

The public’s view on the cuts has been made very clear, with thousands of people hitting the streets in protest and community meetings held up and down the country.
“There are a few MPs out there learning what it’s like to bear the brunt of public anger, she said.

“I would like to remind the government why they are the government. They are here to serve the people, not the other way around.”

ends

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