priorities for adult and community education in irelandniamh o’reilly, ceo of aontas, the national...
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Priorities for Adult and Community Education in Ireland
Niamh O’Reilly, CEO of AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation
23rd November 2016
Adult Learning Conference: Connected Communities, Cardiff, Wales
Overview
AONTAS
National policy priorities and NGO
perspective
Supporting Community Education
Practitioners
AONTAS Community Education
Network
Challenges for community
education
AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation
We are a voluntary membership organisation with nearly 500 members across Ireland:
We believe in the right of all adults in Ireland to quality learning throughout their lives
We promote the value and benefits of adult learning
We work with policy makers to make sure adult learning is recognised and resourced
o In addition to promoting adult learning in Ireland, AONTAS is the national coordinating body for the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL), which is aimed at increasing participation in adult learning across the EU, enhancing policies and supports for adult learners, and gathering and disseminating best practices
AONTAS, National Coordinator for the EAAL in Ireland
AONTAS Strategic PlanLearning: A Lifetime’s Work, 2015 - 2018
• Advocacy
• Promotion
• Networking
• Learner Voice
Priorities for Adult and Community Education in Ireland
National Policy AONTAS Members
Action Plan for Education 2016-2019
National Skills Strategy 2025
• Recognition for the wider benefits of adult learning beyond labour market needs
• Need to widen participation in lifelong learning (7.2%, New Action Plan for Education sets target of 10% by 2020)
• Widen and diversify higher education participation and abolish part-time fees
SOLAS FET Strategy 2014-2019 • Need for increased, multi-annual funding for community education
• Need for learner choice – holistic adult guidance and voluntary participation
• Impact of changes
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) • Need for certification on National Framework of Qualifications for community education learners
Priorities for Adult and Community Education in Ireland – National Policy
Community Education Organisations – Working in a challenging environment
Finding solutions to national and local policy issues
Finding solutions to lack of support for CPD
Finding solutions to challenges in providing accredited programmes
Finding solutions to local issues
Approaches to delivering learning to connect communities
AONTAS Community Education Network (CEN)
o The Community Education Network comprises over 130 community education organisations
o Works collectively to gain recognition for community education, raise its profile and lobby to ensure it is adequately resourced
o Established in 2007 and holds national meetings
o Only national network that is dedicated to independent voluntary community education groups who are committed to social change
o Lack of recognition of the role that community education regarding:
addressing social exclusion
the long term effects of community education
o Sector has had to endure significant and disproportionate cuts
Further pressure to produce data to “prove” the effectiveness of their work
o Lack of understanding, among policy makers, of the complexity of the issues socially excluded people face
Community education can only have a limited impact on employment levels, social exclusion, crime etc. if other social policies don’t change
Key issues in Community Education -Challenges
Continuous professional development (CPD):
CEN provides training based on the needs identified by members - 48 practitioners undertaking eight week CPD blended learning course with a virtual community college
Promotion of community education:
The CEN promotes work of its members through learner story campaigns and social media
Documentary on the benefits of community education
Development of new structures:
Consortium of community education providers in order to reengage with QQI
Benefits of the CEN
Little or no cost
Free training, based on needs of members
Up to date information on national policies and developments
Point of contact with national organisation who will advocate on their behalf
Opportunity to meet other providers, share ideas, exchange information, and engage in dialogue on issues relevant to the sector
Value of community education is promoted at national and international level
National consortium could provide a formal structure which would support providers who are struggling to meet the robust quality assurance requirements of QQI
“Being part of the CEN gives a morale boost to the sector which has recently been undermined by cuts and labour market policies.”
Value, Role and Impact of Community Education
Community learning is valued in local communities. However it’s dependant on funding from different sources
Community Development Programme was replaced by the Social Inclusion Community Activation Progamme (SICAP)
Community education provides opportunities for people, who are most marginalised, to return education in a non-threatening environment
Community education can lead to a change in perception and a valuing of education, which can have immense personal effects but long term intergenerational effects
The mental health impacts of engaging in community education have been well documented
There is a strong commitment to ensuring that principles and values of community education continue to inform practice
Value, Role and Impact of Community Education
Community learning is valued in local communities. However it’s dependant on funding from different sources
Community Development Programme was replaced by the Social Inclusion Community Activation Progamme (SICAP)
Community education provides opportunities for people, who are most marginalised, to return education in a non-threatening environment
Community education can lead to a change in perception and a valuing of education, which can have immense personal effects but long term intergenerational effects
The mental health impacts of engaging in community education have been well documented
There is a strong commitment to ensuring that principles and values of community education continue to inform practice
Challenges and Solutions
Neo liberal agenda, labour market policies and cuts to the community sector
Continue to advocate for adult and community education. Use research and an evidence base to back up arguments for the importance of resourcing this work
o Automony over accredited provision in local communities
Advocate on behalf of community providers
o Increased demands for data collection and evidence of effectiveness of programmes. Concern of the impact this has on the “essence” of the work. Concern also that it has resulted in less time with learners and communities
Continue to promote the long term values of adult and community education and provide qualitative data
Recognition for the wider benefits of adult learning beyond labour
market needs
Need to widen participation in lifelong learning (7.2%, New Action Plan
for Education sets target of 10% by 2020, however you are 4 times
more likely to participate in lifelong learning if you have a Degree
compare to without a Leaving Certificate)
Need for certification on National Framework of Qualifications for
community education learners (reengagement with QQI still uncertain
and 5K fee)
Need for increased, multi-annual funding for community education
Need for learner choice regarding their education options – holistic
adult guidance and voluntary participation
Widen and diversify higher education participation and abolish part-
time fees
Priorities for Adult Learning
