MEDIA RELEASE

5 June 2009
 

Hobby courses part of Kiwi culture

“Being able to go to the local school to learn a skill has been a tradition for Kiwi’s for over 50 years” says the Community Learning Association in Schools (CLASS) President – Maryke Fordyce. “In these times of doom and gloom learning in all its forms is the ray of sunshine that people and our communities need”.

Funding to schools is set to disappear in 2010 after National announced an 80% cut to Adult Community Education (ACE) in the 2009 Budget. This includes the decision to focus investment on “higher-value provision”. The Government no longer intends to subsidise hobby and personal interest courses through schools (e.g. arts and crafts courses, home maintenance etc).

“CLASS represents Coordinators across the country that manage ACE in schools. We see the transformative power of education and learning every day. Learning is a way of life for over 200,000 adults who enrol annually and this is reflected in the increase in enrolments this year. How can the Government cut funding to an area of education that our community is so actively engaged in?”

The Tertiary Education Commission says that in 2010 only a small number of schools will receive ACE funding for literacy and numeracy courses.

“Little more than six months ago the Tertiary Education Minister applauded the diversity of learning opportunities available in the community. Now we see a u- turn on diversity because by making these cuts we see a narrowing of provision for learners and the community. Hobby courses can be a stepping stone to “higher value” learning however the Government is taking this choice away. We believe that the direction that the government is taking is one that does a u-turn on learners and communities and ultimately the kiwi way of life.          

Ends

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