The current funding pressures on further education colleges and local education authorities to adapt to Government policy priorities and targets is causing a narrowing or closure of many thousands of learning opportunities for adults. 

A discussion paper considering these developments and their future implications is published today by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).

Keeping the Options Open, by Dr Veronica McGivney, NIACE Principal Research Officer, summarises the concerns of many people working in, or on behalf of, adult education.  A major concern is the way in which the curriculum is being distorted and narrowed by pressures to meet particular targets, especially those related to Government priorities, such as Skills for Life and the Level 2 entitlement.  While these priorities have generated some impressive results - aided by huge Government investment - the paper argues that current targets and funding changes could be detrimental, not only to the overall spread and diversity of learning opportunities, but also to the goal of widening participation.

For example, providers of Skills for Life often feel constrained to recruit learners most likely to reach the required level of qualification, rather than those with lower attainment levels who are traditionally excluded. Higher charges for adult and community education and the loss of popular courses that act as stepping stones back into learning, could also have a negative impact on the possibility of achieving the Level 2 target.

Dr Veronica McGivney, said, "Keeping the Options Open explores the assumptions about ‘usefulness´ that underpin current priorities.  The paper suggests that the most effective way of achieving national priorities and targets is to provide a broad and flexible curriculum that responds, not to external targets and requirements, but to adult learners´ own diverse interests and needs."

Keeping the Options Open - The importance of maintaining a broad and flexible curriculum offer for adults is written by Veronica McGivney and is published by NIACE - priced at Ѓ8.95 - ISBN 1 86201 243 1. Review copies are available to journalists on approval.  More information available from Elisabeth Prince, NIACE Publications Marketing Assistant on 0116 204 2832 or elisabeth.prince@niace.org.uk
 

Veronica McGivney is Principal Research Officer at NIACE where she has conducted studies on many different aspects of adult learning.  Her main interests are in participation issues and in ways of ensuring equality of access and outcomes for groups who are traditionally under-represented in post compulsory education and training.  Her published books on these themes include: Education´s for other people, Fixing or changing the pattern? Returning Women, Excluded Men, Fixing or Changing the Pattern, A Question of Value, and Informal learning: a trigger for change and development.
 

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the leading non-government organisation for lifelong learning and exists to encourage more and different adults to engage in learning of all kinds and campaigns for, and celebrates the achievements of, all adult learners.