On Friday the LSC released its Statement of Priorities on its website click here. You can download the whole thing in .pdf ( a snappy 60 pages!)
Much of the media attention has been around NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training). But what of adult learning and the position of the WEA?
Pages 40 and 41 say:
"The continuing emphasis on our priorities for adult learning will require all institutions to consider how they can contribute most effectively to our strategy – offering a wider range of adult learning and contributing to the targets for Skills for Life, full Level 2 and full Level 3 achievements.
This will particularly be the case for local adult learning providers (including former external institutions) and specialist designated institutions (This includes the WEA)
We propose to undertake a full review of the strategic role of these groups of providers, to help to identify how their important contribution to wider adult learning will be supported and delivered in the longer term. Pending this review, we will ensure that the institutions have reasonable budgetary stability in 2008/09. Local adult learning providers (including former external institutions) will receive at least 90 per cent of their 2007/08 budgets. The funds that specialist designated institutions receive for delivering PCDL will be maintained.
This protection will be subject to an assessment of the quality of provision and any Notices to Improve, so that we achieve the right balance between
budgetary stability and securing high quality provision for learners.
Later this year, the Government will consult more widely on informal adult education. This will mark a significant evolution of the strategy to ensure hat more people engage in learning for its own sake."
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