Funding Cuts to Adult and Community Education

Media Release
June 2 2009

Funding Cuts to Adult and Community Education Sector

The Adult and Community Education (ACE) sector Strategic Alliance, is deeply disappointed that the Budget significantly reduces funding to the sector and is concerned about the impact cuts will have on communities throughout New Zealand.

The consortium of national adult and community education (ACE) providers, says the sector has a long history of providing high quality adult education in very cost effective ways. This community based education is vital in the current economic environment.

The ACE sector Strategic Alliance is committed to working with providers nationwide to look at ways to reduce the negative consequences of the drastic cuts faced by schools and the community groups they support. effective from 2010. The Alliance intends to work constructively with the Minister to minimise any disengagement of learners, communities, and practitioners.

The ACE sector Strategic Alliance includes Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa, Community Learning Association through Schools (CLASS), English Language Partners (formerly ESOL Home Tutors), the Federation of Workers Educational Asssociations, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand (ITPNZ), the Rural Education Activities Programmes (REAPs), the Pasifika Education Centre and Literacy Aotearoa.

ENDS