Two Community Learning Centres to close

Press Release from Otago Polytechnic 24 September 2009

Two Community Learning Centres to close

Community Learning Centres in Wanaka and Alexandra are to close as Government funding cuts hit home for Otago Polytechnic.

The Learning Centres are designed to provide easily accessible learning through self paced courses. They are to close later this year, a move deeply regretted by Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Regional Manager Jean Tilleyshort.

"The funding situation faced by the entire Polytechnic is exceedingly frustrating and it is a terrible time to have to cut the flexible learning provided by the Community Learning Centres,” she said.

"The combination of funding reductions for the Polytechnic and cuts to Adult Community Education leaves us unable to fund these centres at a time when the community needs all the support it can get."

Community Learning Centres in Queenstown and Cromwell are to remain open and Ms Tilleyshort says additional services will be developed in those towns to strengthen the centres.

ENDS

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