Stop Night Class Cuts Petition goes to Parliament

Community Learning Association through Schools (CLASS)

Thursday 15th October 2009

The organisation representing schools that hold night classes, the Community Learning Association through Schools will present a petition to Parliament on Tuesday 20th October on the Parliament steps.

Over 50,000 signatures were collected since the budget announcement in May by the National led government to cut 80% funding to school based Adult Community Education (ACE) in 2010.

The decision has met widespread criticism from learners, community leaders, organisations and schools. The Tertiary Education Commission announced recently that 25,000 new learning opportunities will be offered next year however schools say that these so called new opportunities are already offered in to the community. Approximately 20% of current ACE funding will be “reinvested” into numeracy, literacy, foundation skills and sign language.

“This is manipulation of information. Less than a quarter of schools will offer night classes in 2010. It doesn’t matter how much political spin the government puts on these stats – National has killed a 100 year institution. Of the 212 schools currently offering Adult Community Education (ACE), over 87 schools have opted out. The government have made it impossible for many schools and communities to offer night classes” says Maryke Fordyce - President of the Community Education Learning Association through Schools (CLASS).  

Fordyce believes that the government and Minister of Education Anne Tolley are minimising the devastating effects of their decision. “Whole communities will miss out. This is a historic turn for the worst – a real educational and societal travesty.”

In 2011, the future for other ACE organisations will be reviewed. “I seriously question the National government’s commitment to Adult and Community Education. ACE through schools contributes 200,000 of the 400,000 learners that enrol annually. New Zealand’s international reputation as a leader in ACE has been dealt a savage blow. The government for all its rhetoric has turned its back on life-long learning by decimating the sector. The petitions presented to Parliament reflect the community outrage against this decision” says Fordyce.    

For more information go to www.stopnightclasscuts.org.nz

Ends

© Scoop Media