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Letter to secondary school principals from CLASS President Maryke Fordyce

Wednesday 10th June 2009

Kia ora

ACE Funding Cuts to Schools

By now, schools with Adult Community Education (ACE) programmes will have received a letter from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) regarding the funding cuts to ACE in schools, effective from January 2010.

The Community Learning Association Through Schools (CLASS) is actively campaigning to have these cuts reversed and is lobbying the Government to continue its funding of the sector.  We are already receiving considerable support from a wide range of New Zealanders, alarmed at the ramifications of this decision. We feel strongly that the learners have not been consulted in this decision.

We are optimistic that we will be successful.   We are concerned however that, in the meantime, principals may make some hasty decisions that will severely affect the provision of ACE in their schools and ultimately the learners in their communities.

We are also aware that an email has been sent out by the STA, asking principals about the potential effects of the funding cuts.  Some of the information in the email was not correct. We urge you not to respond at this stage, as this is likely to undermine our campaign to have the funding reinstated.

Whether or not you have ACE in your school, we ask that you get in behind the campaign to save "night classes" in New Zealand schools, as this is an issue of national importance. 

To put the funding cuts into perspective, the 16 million ACE dollars reach over 220,000 adult learners annually, compared to the limited number of students who will benefit from the additional money going to a tiny number of private schools.

If you would like to lend your support to the campaign:

  • write the to the Minister of Education, the Hon Anne Tolley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and contact your local MP
  • Inform your parent community through your school newsletter of the impact of the cuts on "night classes"
  • Support your coordinator and ACE staff as they are going through a very difficult time
  • Do not make any hasty decisions

We will keep you informed of the outcome of the campaign.

Yours sincerely

Maryke Fordyce

President

Community Learning Association through Schools (CLASS)

 

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Claire Elisabeth Couch said:

Adult Education
I spent years teaching night classes in a very rural school, which in turn got adults back into the education system and who have gone on to do very well in careers. For the sake of $60 million, many people have had the opportunity to mix and mingle and learn at the same time, snatched away from them and at a time when they may need to be a lot more creative in where their income could come from. The National Govt will rue the day they played with Adult Community Education programmes.
 
August 05, 2009
Votes: +5

Bridget Klubien said:

Community Education Coordinator, Western Springs College
Claire Couch thanks for your comments on Adult Community Education. In fact it is only 16 million (not 60) that the government is saving by making these cuts. And 3 million of the 16 million is passed on to community groups.
 
August 25, 2009
Votes: -1

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