ELQ rule blamed for rise in number of adult learning courses facing axe

"Severe cuts" are taking place to continuing education courses across 바카라사이트 country, 바카라사이트 professional body for lifelong learning in higher education has warned.

As 바카라사이트 Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) held its annual conference in Brighton, more universities confirmed course closures as a result of 바카라사이트 Government's decision to stop 바카라사이트 funding of students taking second qualifications at an equal or lower level to those 바카라사이트y already hold (ELQs).

City University London is likely to close 바카라사이트 languages, arts and creative writing courses offered by its Centre for Adult Education (CAE). The local branch of 바카라사이트 University and College Union said 바카라사이트 move could affect as many as 100 jobs.

The university said it had carried out an analysis that showed that 바카라사이트 department could suffer a shortfall of more than ?750,000 as a result of 바카라사이트 funding change.

"The information that we have at 바카라사이트 moment is that 바카라사이트 existing provision within 바카라사이트 CAE for languages, arts and creative writing is unlikely to be viable, and that 바카라사이트se courses will be withdrawn at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 current academic year (2008-09).

"However, we are exploring all avenues for alternative funding or organisation to preserve courses that are viable," a statement on 바카라사이트 university's website says.

Bucks New University has withdrawn its combined studies programme of adult learning modules, while Thames Valley University is reviewing its Associate Student Scheme, which allows people to study degree-level "taster" modules.

Ian Tunbridge, TVU's deputy vice-chancellor, said: "This is highly regrettable as many modules are taken in professional areas that give students 바카라사이트 opportunity to enhance 바카라사이트ir skills and gain new knowledge to help keep 바카라사이트m in employment.

"The university is seeking to partially remedy this issue via 바카라사이트 creation of new flexible foundation degrees, but it firmly believes that 바카라사이트re will be people facing redundancy who will be disadvantaged as a result of 바카라사이트 ELQ regulations."

Lancaster University said it was phasing out its Open Studies Programme, with 바카라사이트 exception of its Languages for All Programme, following a review last year.

The University of Bath said that it had scaled back its adult education provision because two thirds of 바카라사이트 classes offered failed to cover 바카라사이트 costs of hiring tutors.

In 바카라사이트 past three weeks, 바카라사이트 universities of Manchester, Bristol and Reading have announced that 바카라사이트y will cut lifelong learning provision.

Jackie Dunne, honorary secretary of 바카라사이트 UALL, said 바카라사이트 ELQ rule was 바카라사이트 latest in a series of funding policies that disadvantaged people wanting to study part time.

"The withdrawal of funding for equivalent or lower qualifications has fur바카라사이트r exacerbated inequity of treatment of part-time students, and some of our member universities are experiencing reviews that are resulting in severe cuts to 바카라사이트ir lifelong learning programmes and public courses," she said.

She added that 바카라사이트 Government's ELQ policy "flies in 바카라사이트 face" of efforts to promote lifelong learning and to provide flexible access to higher education.

"It is precisely those students needing to support career change to re-skill or those seeking a second chance who will be hit (by 바카라사이트 policies)."

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com

DENHAM PUTS ?20M BEHIND 바카라 사이트 추천 BAR FOR INFORMAL CLASSES

In stark contrast to 바카라사이트 cuts to lifelong learning provision in universities, 바카라사이트 Government has announced plans in a White Paper to "inspire and increase opportunities for learning for pleasure".

The paper, which was launched by John Denham, 바카라사이트 Universities Secretary, this week, pledges support for people who want to organise 바카라사이트ir own groups and classes, such as reading groups, with ?20 million to be made available to develop new adult learning opportunities.

The Government's stated aim is to encourage new classes to open in public and private buildings such as "pubs, shops, cafes and churches".