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Media Release - August 18 2009  Adult Learning Key in Hard Times

Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga 2009 will be launched at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae in Gisborne on September 7 marking the beginning of a week of adult learning celebrations. The Adult and Community Education Sector is reeling from the
loss of $54 million funding in this year's Budget but members are determined to celebrate the work they do and the efforts of their learners.

This year’s theme Learn for Today and Tomorrow  E ako mō tēnei rā me āpōpō emphasises the immediate impact of learning on the lives of adults and their communities and the way it strengthens long term opportunities especially in a time of economic uncertainty.

Throughout Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga over thirty regions will be showcasing the achievements of their adult learners and providers and encouraging everyone to have a go at learning for fun, to meet new friends or up-skill.

Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga incorporates International Literacy Day on September 8 and is supported by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. It has taken place in Aotearoa for over ten years. Its aim is to highlight the diversity of adult learners and the variety of places where adult learning happens – in the farm paddock, family kitchen, workshop or studio, on the marae or a boat in the middle of the ocean.

Last year an estimated 400,000 people took part in some form of community based learning and this year enrolments are well up. A research evaluation by PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated the informal, community based education has an economic benefit to New Zealand of between $4.8 billion and $6.3 billion annually.

Members of the ACE Sector Strategic Alliance have expressed their disappointment at what they believe to be disproportionate cuts to ACE funding.  They are now working with the Education Minister, Hon Anne Tolley to see how ACE can most effectively contribute to communities, in a refocused environment and minimise any disengagement of learners, communities, and practitioners.

 

Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga is oganised by ACE Aotearoa.
For more information see the website or contact
Mary Gavigan Ph 04 971 4416  Mob  021 058 8768

Click here to download a generic version of this release for regional publications.