Federal NDP shares its plans for Adult Education

On September 8 a network of adult educators and researchers sent each political party a list of questions about their adult literacy and adult education policy. Today the network received this response from the NDP.  Among their policy intentions are:

Support for core funding for literacy programs;

Respect for the constitutional rights to literacy and language services in minority language communities;

The integration of literacy and essential skills education in Labour Market Agreements (the current Canada Jobs Grant excludes people with low literacy skills and the unemployed); and,

The re-direction of EI funds to support the education and training of people experiencing unemployment. Responses from the CPC, Greens and LPC will be shared on this blog as and when the network receives them.

CDEAF – EN – 091815

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2013 survey of ABE students

This 2013 survey of ABE and ESL students  in Development Programs in Post-Secondary Institutions concluded that :

“Respondents’ educational aspirations and achievements align not only with their reasons for enrolling but also the development-based purpose of ABE studies. ABE course completion lays the needed groundwork for success in post-secondary education and labour market attachment.” [Emphasis added]. (Government of British Columbia, 2013, p. 46).

So why the rush to cut ABE and ESL courses? Among the many interesting findings in this survey, 70% of ABE and ESL students pursued further studies in post-secondary institutions following their completion of ABE and ESL courses, leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees. 95% said that ABE had prepared them academically to succeed in these courses and almost all respondents intended to pursue further education.

The majority of respondents also said that their ABE courses did help them in their work lives even though this was not their original intention in enrolling. How will overall PSI enrolment be affected by the inevitable decline in ABE and ESL student participation that will result from the recently announced cuts?

ABE Tuition Hurts Working Poor

The working poor will be penalized as they strive for a basic education. See, Vancouver Community College’s Faculty Association, President, Karen Shortt’s letter in the Vancouver Sun.

“…as the new school semester starts, thousands of B.C.’s working poor will be hit hard with tuition fees in excess of $500 per month for basic adult literacy…. And this is taking place in a province that boasts a budget surplus of over $400 million.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/letters/Tuition+hurts+working+poor/10709745/story.html

Student survey results show that over 70% of students in Basic Education at VCC juggle paid work with going to school. This figure is even greater when unpaid work (e.g., childcare and eldercare) is factored in.

Student Survey on Working and Going to School, October 2014

Selkirk college won’t charge tuition fees

Selkirk college has announced it will not be charging tuition fees to ABE students in the new year, providing there is no change to the terms of their operating grants. College President Angus Graeme offers this rationale:

“In particular, ABE provides accessible educational opportunities for adult students in many communities throughout the region and from a broad range of socio-economic circumstances. For many students it represents a critical transition back into the education system.”

Matthew Jameson, President of the Selkirk College Students’ Union Local 4     notes that:

“Colleges require [ABE courses] as pre-requisites to get into programs and the people going into the ABE are often from the lower income bracket so charging $320 makes everything worse.”

VSB asks the Ministry of Education to reverse its decision

As reported in the Vancouver Sun, the VSB has sent a letter to Minister of Education Peter Fassbender asking him to reverse his decision to cut funding for adult students in school districts who want to upgrade or gain university entry. The VSB estimates that 1500 students will be affected by these cuts.