40 nationalities attending adult education classes

PEOPLE from more than 40 different nationalities are now attending adult education classes in Clare.

And the manner in which we are adapting to our new multicultural society is now a major issue facing adult learners an education conference in Ennis was also told yesterday.

Speaking at the conference organised by Aontas, the National Association of Adult Education, Sara Bourke from Tipperary Women’s Network highlighted the need for extra supports for adult learners.

“For those involved in community education, the key issues are always around funding for childcare, travel expenses for rural participants to access programmes, the cost of learning materials, and so on,” she said.

Another area that needs to be addressed, she said, is continuity of programmes.

“There is huge uncertainty surrounding the future of certain programmes from year to year - what we want is multi-annual funding that gives some stability to adult learners, rather than leaving them in the dark each year about whether their programme will continue to exist.”

Acting Adult Education Officer with Clare VEC, Moira Greene, said one of the main issues facing them in Clare is how best to adapt to the county’s new multicultural society.

“Esol [English for Speakers of other Languages] provision in Co Clare has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years.

“It is definitely one of the VEC’s fastest growing services, due to the large amount of non-nationals now living in Clare. At the moment, there are people from over 40 different countries attending Esol classes with the VEC.”

She said this draws attention to the need for diversity training and inclusivity.

“We need to look at how society in Co Clare is coping with the large influx of non-nationals, and examine how adult education can contribute to this social change, through making non-nationals aware of their rights.”

The meeting was also addressed by Frances Egan and Linda Barry from the Careers and Access Service with Limerick Institute of Technology, and Director of Aontas, Berni Brady. It was attended by delegates from Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary.

Contact Martina Quinn, Communications Officer, Aontas, for further details on 087 9110569.