Community education ‘vital in a recession’

THE need to continue investing in community education has been highlighted in research findings that indicate such investment can help maintain a happy and healthier population during recessionary times.

While most educational spending is focused on increasing employment prospects and boosting people’s skills, around €10 million a year is spent on community education schemes delivered through vocational education committees (VECs).

They are built around local needs and cater for almost 60,000 students a year, including mature students, people with disabilities, community groups and the unemployed.