Guardian March 17 2009
Paul Mackney, who leads the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (Call), points out a contrast between the attitudes of the UK government and the new president of the US when it comes to learning languages. Over here, John Denham, secretary for skills, recently told campaigners that he does not prioritise "subsidising people who want to learn Spanish for holidays".
Call's diligent researches on YouTube have produced a campaign video of President Obama saying he found it embarrassing that all most Americans can say in Europe is "merci beaucoup". "You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish," says the president. You've heard about two nations divided by a common language, but no one ever said what the common language was.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
More places lost due to ELQ policy
University of Reading
Release Date : 12 March 2009
Following the decision by Government in September 2007 to withdraw a major stream of higher education funding, the University of Reading has completed a year-long project to identify alternative sources of funding for the activities for many of its adult and part-time students.
That review has now reported to the University's Senior Management Board and has concluded that there is no alternative business model which will sustainably fund the public programmes run by the University's School of Continuing Education.
The Senior Management Board has reluctantly recommended that the Public Programmes (Open Programmes and Certificate in Higher Education) admit their last students in this summer term. The final admission to the one and two year postgraduate programmes in the Careers Studies Unit at Reading will be October 2009
Professor Christine Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise), said: "Like many other higher education institutions, we have been wrestling for some considerable time with the issue of how to fund courses that were previously covered by ELQ funding.
The hard fact is that the University cannot afford to subsidise these courses to the tune of half a million pounds a year
In this year's annual grant to the University of Reading, HEFCE reduced teaching funding by £450,000 as a result of the withdrawal of ELQ funds. This shortfall in income is estimated to rise to £520,000 by 2011/12.
Release Date : 12 March 2009
Following the decision by Government in September 2007 to withdraw a major stream of higher education funding, the University of Reading has completed a year-long project to identify alternative sources of funding for the activities for many of its adult and part-time students.
That review has now reported to the University's Senior Management Board and has concluded that there is no alternative business model which will sustainably fund the public programmes run by the University's School of Continuing Education.
The Senior Management Board has reluctantly recommended that the Public Programmes (Open Programmes and Certificate in Higher Education) admit their last students in this summer term. The final admission to the one and two year postgraduate programmes in the Careers Studies Unit at Reading will be October 2009
Professor Christine Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise), said: "Like many other higher education institutions, we have been wrestling for some considerable time with the issue of how to fund courses that were previously covered by ELQ funding.
The hard fact is that the University cannot afford to subsidise these courses to the tune of half a million pounds a year
In this year's annual grant to the University of Reading, HEFCE reduced teaching funding by £450,000 as a result of the withdrawal of ELQ funds. This shortfall in income is estimated to rise to £520,000 by 2011/12.
ELQ policy: widely condemned: worst in last 10 years
THE - 12 March 2009
The human costs of a heavily criticised government funding decision are coming to light as university applicants are hit by the new rule.
The change means universities receive public funding towards the costs of a student place only if it leads to a higher education qualification at a more advanced level than that already held by the applicant.
One student told Times Higher Education he was "devastated" after being told that the only way he could fulfil his ambition of gaining a place on the Royal College of Art's (RCA) industrial design engineering course was by paying more than £46,000 in fees.
The ELQ rule has been described by the University and College Union as "the most widely condemned government education policy of the past ten years".
When the rule change was announced in 2007, the Government claimed it would allow it to spend the money saved on extra places for first-time students.
However, since then it has cut the 15,000 additional student numbers it promised for 2009-10 by 5,000, and extra numbers for 2010-11 are on hold subject to a review later this year.
The human costs of a heavily criticised government funding decision are coming to light as university applicants are hit by the new rule.
The change means universities receive public funding towards the costs of a student place only if it leads to a higher education qualification at a more advanced level than that already held by the applicant.
One student told Times Higher Education he was "devastated" after being told that the only way he could fulfil his ambition of gaining a place on the Royal College of Art's (RCA) industrial design engineering course was by paying more than £46,000 in fees.
The ELQ rule has been described by the University and College Union as "the most widely condemned government education policy of the past ten years".
When the rule change was announced in 2007, the Government claimed it would allow it to spend the money saved on extra places for first-time students.
However, since then it has cut the 15,000 additional student numbers it promised for 2009-10 by 5,000, and extra numbers for 2010-11 are on hold subject to a review later this year.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
ELQ policy a disaster
THE - 12 March 2009
Universities are closing or reviewing the future of their lifelong learning departments, blaming the "progressive withdrawal" of government funding for adult education classes.
This week, the University of Manchester confirmed it would shut its Courses for the Public programme, while the University of Reading announced a review of its School of Continuing Education, after being hit by the government funding rule for equivalent or lower-level qualifications (ELQs).
Reading has suffered a 69 per cent reduction in "other recurrent teaching grants" for 2009-10, largely as a result of a decrease in transitional funding for ELQ students, and it is reviewing how it can fill the funding gap.
When the Government's ELQ decision was announced in 2007, the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning warned the policy could prove "a catastrophic blow" to lifelong learning departments.
Universities are closing or reviewing the future of their lifelong learning departments, blaming the "progressive withdrawal" of government funding for adult education classes.
This week, the University of Manchester confirmed it would shut its Courses for the Public programme, while the University of Reading announced a review of its School of Continuing Education, after being hit by the government funding rule for equivalent or lower-level qualifications (ELQs).
Reading has suffered a 69 per cent reduction in "other recurrent teaching grants" for 2009-10, largely as a result of a decrease in transitional funding for ELQ students, and it is reviewing how it can fill the funding gap.
When the Government's ELQ decision was announced in 2007, the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning warned the policy could prove "a catastrophic blow" to lifelong learning departments.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Sad day for Manchester University
A very sad day indeed! We wonder how many more will follow before this government sees the folly of its ways?
The University of Manchester Course for the Public department, part-time study, has being informed by the University that it will close this summer.
The Dean of the Faculty thinks that the extramural lectures have not done enough to sell their courses to the public, and lays the reasons for the closure at their feet. That means from the end of summer 2009 there will be no formal extra-mural provision at Manchester - such provision being done on an ad hoc basis by individual departments without any co-operation between them and using post-grad teaching assistants and mostly lecturers who are inexperienced in delivering adult education courses.
The extra-mural students at Manchester as so annoyed that they have set up web petition at No 10 complaining about this closure and similar ones elsewhere. You might like to know that representations have been made to the Shadow Chancellor George Osborne about these closures by one of the charitable education groups in northern Cheshire (the Wilmslow Guild) and there may be an opportunity in the near feature to spend ten minutes within explaining about this awful situation.
You can find the petition at
E-Petitions, 10 Downing Street.
Given the grave situation facing many adult education centres around the UK I would urge you to have a look at the petition.
Please sign the petition.
The University of Manchester Course for the Public department, part-time study, has being informed by the University that it will close this summer.
The Dean of the Faculty thinks that the extramural lectures have not done enough to sell their courses to the public, and lays the reasons for the closure at their feet. That means from the end of summer 2009 there will be no formal extra-mural provision at Manchester - such provision being done on an ad hoc basis by individual departments without any co-operation between them and using post-grad teaching assistants and mostly lecturers who are inexperienced in delivering adult education courses.
The extra-mural students at Manchester as so annoyed that they have set up web petition at No 10 complaining about this closure and similar ones elsewhere. You might like to know that representations have been made to the Shadow Chancellor George Osborne about these closures by one of the charitable education groups in northern Cheshire (the Wilmslow Guild) and there may be an opportunity in the near feature to spend ten minutes within explaining about this awful situation.
You can find the petition at
E-Petitions, 10 Downing Street.
Given the grave situation facing many adult education centres around the UK I would urge you to have a look at the petition.
Please sign the petition.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Denham 'very flaky and easily upset'
Times Higher Education 5th March
John Denham, the Universities Secretary, was booed as he defended the Government's record on education at a volatile meeting with campaigners in Westminster last week.
Responding to persistent heckling, Mr Denham told members of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (CALL) that he could "give as good as I get" as he sought to explain the Government's policy on education and lifelong learning.
At one point, the mood in the meeting became so hostile that he threatened to leave as the chair struggled to control the audience.
The lobby was organised by CALL - an alliance of groups including the National Union of Students and the University and College Union - in response to concerns over the withdrawal of funding for 1.4 million adult education places.
One member of CALL said that members were particularly angered by what they saw as Mr Denham's inference that adult education often amounted to little more than learning "holiday Spanish".
"That really riled everyone," he said. "I know people say he is a thinker, but he came across as very flaky and easily upset, with little idea about how to work a crowd."
He described Mr Denham as "visibly shaken and red-faced" during the meeting.
Gordon Marsden, a member of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee and CALL, tabled an early day motion calling for the restoration of funding for lifelong learning in advance of the meeting. It was signed by more than 100 MPs.
However, Mr Marsden said that many more MPs who privately support the motion may have declined to sign because they were worried about keeping their jobs in the Government.
John Denham, the Universities Secretary, was booed as he defended the Government's record on education at a volatile meeting with campaigners in Westminster last week.
Responding to persistent heckling, Mr Denham told members of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (CALL) that he could "give as good as I get" as he sought to explain the Government's policy on education and lifelong learning.
At one point, the mood in the meeting became so hostile that he threatened to leave as the chair struggled to control the audience.
The lobby was organised by CALL - an alliance of groups including the National Union of Students and the University and College Union - in response to concerns over the withdrawal of funding for 1.4 million adult education places.
One member of CALL said that members were particularly angered by what they saw as Mr Denham's inference that adult education often amounted to little more than learning "holiday Spanish".
"That really riled everyone," he said. "I know people say he is a thinker, but he came across as very flaky and easily upset, with little idea about how to work a crowd."
He described Mr Denham as "visibly shaken and red-faced" during the meeting.
Gordon Marsden, a member of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee and CALL, tabled an early day motion calling for the restoration of funding for lifelong learning in advance of the meeting. It was signed by more than 100 MPs.
However, Mr Marsden said that many more MPs who privately support the motion may have declined to sign because they were worried about keeping their jobs in the Government.
'Juan' Denham faces protesters at CALL Lobby
The Guardian Peter Kingston Tuesday 3 March 2009
Labour's proposition is that courses - daytime or evening - that are more about addressing people's curiosity or desire for self-fulfilment than making them employable should get less assistance from the exchequer.
But opposition to that view has been vociferous, especially from supporters of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (Call), who came to Westminster to lobby parliament about the state of adult education. A match lobbed into a petrol lake could not have produced a quicker whoosh in committee room 14 at the Palace of Westminster than the explosion of boos and jeers when Denham uttered the "holiday Spanish" phrase.
Since Call was set up last October, Denham has expressed keenness for public debate on adult education. The ballooning support for the campaign from organisations large and small - from the Church of England and the Women's Institute to the Wolverhampton Pensioners' Convention - in the last four months has made some sort of conversation a political imperative.
Paul Mackney, the former general secretary of the lecturers' union Natfhe set up the campaign following a meeting in a pub in King's Cross, London, last June between Niace, the National Union of Students, and the University and College Union (UCU), Natfhe's successor body, said
"I don't think I have known a campaign to grow so quickly, apart from the campaign against the Iraq war"
Barry Lovejoy, head of further education at UCU, who chaired the event, said the union was "very pleased at the tremendous turnout at the Call lobby". Speeches of support from Denham's Tory and Liberal Democrat counterparts, David Willetts and Stephen Williams, certainly helped Call's cause.
No one matched the devastating impact, however, of the former education secretary David Blunkett
He read faultlessly from a braille copy of that now famous preface he wrote to The Learning Age, Labour's 1998 green paper. "As well as securing our economic future, learning has a wider contribution. It helps make ours a civilised society, develops the spiritual side of our lives and promotes active citizenship ... It helps us fulfil our potential, and opens doors to a love of music, art and literature. That is why we value learning for its own sake as well as for the equality of opportunity it brings."
Labour's proposition is that courses - daytime or evening - that are more about addressing people's curiosity or desire for self-fulfilment than making them employable should get less assistance from the exchequer.
But opposition to that view has been vociferous, especially from supporters of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (Call), who came to Westminster to lobby parliament about the state of adult education. A match lobbed into a petrol lake could not have produced a quicker whoosh in committee room 14 at the Palace of Westminster than the explosion of boos and jeers when Denham uttered the "holiday Spanish" phrase.
Since Call was set up last October, Denham has expressed keenness for public debate on adult education. The ballooning support for the campaign from organisations large and small - from the Church of England and the Women's Institute to the Wolverhampton Pensioners' Convention - in the last four months has made some sort of conversation a political imperative.
Paul Mackney, the former general secretary of the lecturers' union Natfhe set up the campaign following a meeting in a pub in King's Cross, London, last June between Niace, the National Union of Students, and the University and College Union (UCU), Natfhe's successor body, said
"I don't think I have known a campaign to grow so quickly, apart from the campaign against the Iraq war"
Barry Lovejoy, head of further education at UCU, who chaired the event, said the union was "very pleased at the tremendous turnout at the Call lobby". Speeches of support from Denham's Tory and Liberal Democrat counterparts, David Willetts and Stephen Williams, certainly helped Call's cause.
No one matched the devastating impact, however, of the former education secretary David Blunkett
He read faultlessly from a braille copy of that now famous preface he wrote to The Learning Age, Labour's 1998 green paper. "As well as securing our economic future, learning has a wider contribution. It helps make ours a civilised society, develops the spiritual side of our lives and promotes active citizenship ... It helps us fulfil our potential, and opens doors to a love of music, art and literature. That is why we value learning for its own sake as well as for the equality of opportunity it brings."
The CALL Lobby
THE CALL LOBBY
Yesterday more than 400 students, teachers and people from all walks of life descended on Parliament to have their voice heard on adult learning.
The CALL campaign organisers would like to thank everybody who attended and the many people who supported the day from a far as well. We would especially like to thank all those who agreed to speak and help us understand and articulate the complex issues that lie beneath the campaigns core messages.
Already we are seeing a surge of support from MPs as a result of the lobby, with 144 of them having now signed our EDM.
Please keep checking this website as we build a record of the day, including photos, speeches and press coverage as it emerges.
Yesterday more than 400 students, teachers and people from all walks of life descended on Parliament to have their voice heard on adult learning.
The CALL campaign organisers would like to thank everybody who attended and the many people who supported the day from a far as well. We would especially like to thank all those who agreed to speak and help us understand and articulate the complex issues that lie beneath the campaigns core messages.
Already we are seeing a surge of support from MPs as a result of the lobby, with 144 of them having now signed our EDM.
Please keep checking this website as we build a record of the day, including photos, speeches and press coverage as it emerges.
Support for CALL
Liverpool Echo 25 February 2009
LIVERPOOL lecturers and students were today taking part in a mass Parliament lobby over adult learning courses cuts.
A team of 15 from Liverpool Community College, made up of past and present lecturers and students, teamed up at Westminster with protesters from across the UK for the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning event.
The protesters were due to have a frank one-to-one with Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, over the government emphasis that 16 to 18-year-olds and adults are taught tougher qualifications.
Medical News Blog 26 February
The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, will this week face questions from adults who can no longer access education courses because of changes in government policy that have seen 1.4m adult education places vanish across the UK.
NUS Vice President for Further Education, Beth Walker, said: “Adult learners are constantly overlooked when the Government makes policy, but today they stand together in unity, making their voices heard and impossible to ignore.
This isn’t just a campaign about course places or fees; it is a universal campaign about helping people to fulfil their potential throughout their lives. Given the current economic climate, it will be essential for many people to learn new skills in order to meet the needs of the changing job market; the Government needs to recognise that it is in our long term economic interest to ensure that these people are given support and guidance.
LIVERPOOL lecturers and students were today taking part in a mass Parliament lobby over adult learning courses cuts.
A team of 15 from Liverpool Community College, made up of past and present lecturers and students, teamed up at Westminster with protesters from across the UK for the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning event.
The protesters were due to have a frank one-to-one with Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, over the government emphasis that 16 to 18-year-olds and adults are taught tougher qualifications.
Medical News Blog 26 February
The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, will this week face questions from adults who can no longer access education courses because of changes in government policy that have seen 1.4m adult education places vanish across the UK.
NUS Vice President for Further Education, Beth Walker, said: “Adult learners are constantly overlooked when the Government makes policy, but today they stand together in unity, making their voices heard and impossible to ignore.
This isn’t just a campaign about course places or fees; it is a universal campaign about helping people to fulfil their potential throughout their lives. Given the current economic climate, it will be essential for many people to learn new skills in order to meet the needs of the changing job market; the Government needs to recognise that it is in our long term economic interest to ensure that these people are given support and guidance.
Support for CALL
Apologies for late news items, trying to catch up and don't want to miss any of the run up items.
Herald Express
23rd February
ADULT learners in Brixham are supporting a rallying cry for more Government money to be ploughed into gaining new skills.
Over the last two years, 1.5million adult education course places have been lost due to cuts and fee rises, says the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning.
Next week, CALL is lobbying Parliament on the day it is due to receive an Early Day Motion from leading educational MPs from all three major parties.
The MPs are calling for a budget that rises with inflation for the adult learning sector, and say that any under-spend should be redirected to the Train to Gain programme.
Their motion claims 'particularly at this time of recession, affordable access to the life-changing opportunities provided by education is the hallmark of a civilised society'.
Ministers have defended the budget cuts, saying they only affect classes like holiday Spanish and flower arranging, but CALL is concerned about the reduction in education opportunities for the unemployed and the need to provide affordable courses for all.
Jenny Harriman, head of Brixham's adult learning centre, supports CALL's fight.
She said: "With hundreds of courses in subjects from tango to working with children to chose from in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, it's easy to be complacent, but the Learning and Skills Council grant is only guaranteed until 2010.
"I have worked in adult learning for more than 30 years. I know from first-hand experience how important it is to people."
Albert Lowe, a member of Brixham's advanced conversational French class, said adult learning is a great way to meet new people, make friends and maintain an active brain.
He added: "There is a very important social element in coming to a class and learning together. Adult learning should have a higher priority."
Brixham and South Hams MP Anthony Steen also lent his support to the campaign, saying: "Adult education is a crucial part of Britain's continuing development without which our ability to hold a competitive edge on the world stage will be threatened."
The alliance was launched last year by the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education and various unions including UNISON, to raise awareness and campaign for the right of everyone to have access to learning.
Herald Express
23rd February
ADULT learners in Brixham are supporting a rallying cry for more Government money to be ploughed into gaining new skills.
Over the last two years, 1.5million adult education course places have been lost due to cuts and fee rises, says the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning.
Next week, CALL is lobbying Parliament on the day it is due to receive an Early Day Motion from leading educational MPs from all three major parties.
The MPs are calling for a budget that rises with inflation for the adult learning sector, and say that any under-spend should be redirected to the Train to Gain programme.
Their motion claims 'particularly at this time of recession, affordable access to the life-changing opportunities provided by education is the hallmark of a civilised society'.
Ministers have defended the budget cuts, saying they only affect classes like holiday Spanish and flower arranging, but CALL is concerned about the reduction in education opportunities for the unemployed and the need to provide affordable courses for all.
Jenny Harriman, head of Brixham's adult learning centre, supports CALL's fight.
She said: "With hundreds of courses in subjects from tango to working with children to chose from in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, it's easy to be complacent, but the Learning and Skills Council grant is only guaranteed until 2010.
"I have worked in adult learning for more than 30 years. I know from first-hand experience how important it is to people."
Albert Lowe, a member of Brixham's advanced conversational French class, said adult learning is a great way to meet new people, make friends and maintain an active brain.
He added: "There is a very important social element in coming to a class and learning together. Adult learning should have a higher priority."
Brixham and South Hams MP Anthony Steen also lent his support to the campaign, saying: "Adult education is a crucial part of Britain's continuing development without which our ability to hold a competitive edge on the world stage will be threatened."
The alliance was launched last year by the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education and various unions including UNISON, to raise awareness and campaign for the right of everyone to have access to learning.
Belly dancing anyone?
Guardian 17 February
You know these non-vocational courses that politicians say they love, but won't pay for because they don't lead to jobs? Maybe they need to think again.
"Yesterday I went to my bellydancing class and I got offered a job as a bellydancer," Notebook was told by Lucia Quintero, policy officer at the adult learners' organisation Niace.
On Wednesday next week, Quintero will be stewarding the lobby of parliament organised by Call, the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning - but after that, who knows? "The bellydancing teacher wants to polish me up and be my agent," she tells us.
You know these non-vocational courses that politicians say they love, but won't pay for because they don't lead to jobs? Maybe they need to think again.
"Yesterday I went to my bellydancing class and I got offered a job as a bellydancer," Notebook was told by Lucia Quintero, policy officer at the adult learners' organisation Niace.
On Wednesday next week, Quintero will be stewarding the lobby of parliament organised by Call, the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning - but after that, who knows? "The bellydancing teacher wants to polish me up and be my agent," she tells us.
Bumpy road ahead
BBC News date 6th Feb.
At a universities' conference this week, the Higher Education Minister, David Lammy, said the review of student top-up fees in England would "start this year".
So, experts like the head of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Professor David Eastwood, now believe there is no prospect of the fees cap being lifted before 2013.
Since students from outside the EU pay full-cost fees, they are very attractive to universities.
Overseas students will be increasingly important, as the next few years will bring a demographic downturn in the number of school-leavers.
Forecasts show that between 2009-19 there will be fall of 6% in the number of 18-25 year-old university applicants across UK.
Yet the competition for international students gets tougher every year.
Bumpy road
There are other ways ahead for universities. One option being pursued by many is to offer more short-courses tailored to the needs of employers.
This is likely to be an increasingly important role for higher education.
But it is a risky strategy in a recession when many employers are themselves cost-cutting.
Rising unemployment will raise demand from individuals needing to improve their skills or learn new ones.
But affordability will be a barrier for such potential students.
Indeed, the government's decision to reduce funding for students wishing to take an "Equivalent or Lower Qualification", may price some existing graduates out of a return to university to re-skill.
So it looks like a very bumpy road ahead for British universities.
They may look back on the past few years as times of plenty.
Like businesses, they will need to be nimble and adaptable to survive.
At a universities' conference this week, the Higher Education Minister, David Lammy, said the review of student top-up fees in England would "start this year".
So, experts like the head of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Professor David Eastwood, now believe there is no prospect of the fees cap being lifted before 2013.
Since students from outside the EU pay full-cost fees, they are very attractive to universities.
Overseas students will be increasingly important, as the next few years will bring a demographic downturn in the number of school-leavers.
Forecasts show that between 2009-19 there will be fall of 6% in the number of 18-25 year-old university applicants across UK.
Yet the competition for international students gets tougher every year.
Bumpy road
There are other ways ahead for universities. One option being pursued by many is to offer more short-courses tailored to the needs of employers.
This is likely to be an increasingly important role for higher education.
But it is a risky strategy in a recession when many employers are themselves cost-cutting.
Rising unemployment will raise demand from individuals needing to improve their skills or learn new ones.
But affordability will be a barrier for such potential students.
Indeed, the government's decision to reduce funding for students wishing to take an "Equivalent or Lower Qualification", may price some existing graduates out of a return to university to re-skill.
So it looks like a very bumpy road ahead for British universities.
They may look back on the past few years as times of plenty.
Like businesses, they will need to be nimble and adaptable to survive.
Friday, 6 February 2009
Explanation wanted for ELQ fiasco
Question from Mark Lancaster (Shadow Minister, International Development; North East Milton Keynes, Conservative)
The decision to remove funding for ELQ students was a knee-jerk reaction and a mistake. As unemployment rises in the United Kingdom and people are desperate to retrain, the Government are beginning to look stupid on this issue. Can the Minister simply explain why the decision was taken, and will he at least begin to review it? People are desperate to retrain, and they cannot under this system.
The decision to remove funding for ELQ students was a knee-jerk reaction and a mistake. As unemployment rises in the United Kingdom and people are desperate to retrain, the Government are beginning to look stupid on this issue. Can the Minister simply explain why the decision was taken, and will he at least begin to review it? People are desperate to retrain, and they cannot under this system.
Letter from David Lammy to HEFCE
Review of ELQ's
David Lammy (Minister of State (Higher Education & Intellectual Property), Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills; Tottenham, Labour)
The Secretary of State established when he finalised this policy in January 2008 that the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) should conduct an annual review on its impact. I wrote to HEFCE earlier this month setting out the terms of reference for the review. A copy of this letter has been placed in the House of Commons Library. HEFCE has started work on the review and plan to report later in the year.
David Lammy (Minister of State (Higher Education & Intellectual Property), Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills; Tottenham, Labour)
The Secretary of State established when he finalised this policy in January 2008 that the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) should conduct an annual review on its impact. I wrote to HEFCE earlier this month setting out the terms of reference for the review. A copy of this letter has been placed in the House of Commons Library. HEFCE has started work on the review and plan to report later in the year.
Number of part time students falling
BBC News
Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts said: "We have got used to student numbers growing year after year, but that trend is now over.
This is the death knell of Labour's target of 50% of young adults going on to higher education
David Willetts, shadow universities secretary
"For the first time for many years the number of UK students actually fell last year.
"In particular, part-time students are clearly being put off by the raw deal they get under this government.
"This is the death knell of Labour's target of 50% of young adults going on to higher education."
The number of British part-time students in the UK fell 3% between 2007 and 2008, to 762,340.
Wales saw the biggest fall in part-time students from the UK (down 9%). In England, the fall was 3% and in Scotland and Northern Ireland, it was 4%.
The University and College Union (UCU) said this was a particular concern.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "It is a real worry that the number of part-time students applying to university has dropped. Part-time study is key for students not entering higher education through a more traditional route and will be vital to the success of the widening participation agenda.
"In tough economic times we need to ensure that there are genuine opportunities available to people who need to re-skill or gain new qualifications. Part-time study is the only way many people can access higher education and we must support it."
Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts said: "We have got used to student numbers growing year after year, but that trend is now over.
This is the death knell of Labour's target of 50% of young adults going on to higher education
David Willetts, shadow universities secretary
"For the first time for many years the number of UK students actually fell last year.
"In particular, part-time students are clearly being put off by the raw deal they get under this government.
"This is the death knell of Labour's target of 50% of young adults going on to higher education."
The number of British part-time students in the UK fell 3% between 2007 and 2008, to 762,340.
Wales saw the biggest fall in part-time students from the UK (down 9%). In England, the fall was 3% and in Scotland and Northern Ireland, it was 4%.
The University and College Union (UCU) said this was a particular concern.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "It is a real worry that the number of part-time students applying to university has dropped. Part-time study is key for students not entering higher education through a more traditional route and will be vital to the success of the widening participation agenda.
"In tough economic times we need to ensure that there are genuine opportunities available to people who need to re-skill or gain new qualifications. Part-time study is the only way many people can access higher education and we must support it."
Friday, 23 January 2009
ELQ: regressive policy
Guardian 22nd January
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is set to approve a £50m rescue package today to help businesses and the unemployed retrain at universities during the recession.
Hefce's board is due to consider the initiative, which would see universities bid for funding of up to £500,000 to run training and skills programmes for business and unemployed people.
This would clash with ministers' unpopular decision in 2007 to switch £100m in funding away from "second-chance students" – those studying for an equivalent or lower qualification to one they already hold (ELQ) – to first-time students without previous qualifications.
David Willetts, the shadow universities secretary, said: "The government has got in a complete mess over ELQs. It's still in the process of implementing £100m cuts in funding for second-chance students.
"Universities will be on one hand having funding cut for people who want to go back to university and now being told to put more funding in for people who have lost their jobs who already have a degree."
Anna Fazackerley, senior adviser on universities at the independent thinktank Policy Exchange, said: "The government is clearly planning to help people who have lost their jobs to return to higher education — effectively overturning the disastrous cut to ELQ funding last year.
"The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills has had a painful reminder of why cutting support for those who want to retrain was an utterly regressive thing to do."
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is set to approve a £50m rescue package today to help businesses and the unemployed retrain at universities during the recession.
Hefce's board is due to consider the initiative, which would see universities bid for funding of up to £500,000 to run training and skills programmes for business and unemployed people.
This would clash with ministers' unpopular decision in 2007 to switch £100m in funding away from "second-chance students" – those studying for an equivalent or lower qualification to one they already hold (ELQ) – to first-time students without previous qualifications.
David Willetts, the shadow universities secretary, said: "The government has got in a complete mess over ELQs. It's still in the process of implementing £100m cuts in funding for second-chance students.
"Universities will be on one hand having funding cut for people who want to go back to university and now being told to put more funding in for people who have lost their jobs who already have a degree."
Anna Fazackerley, senior adviser on universities at the independent thinktank Policy Exchange, said: "The government is clearly planning to help people who have lost their jobs to return to higher education — effectively overturning the disastrous cut to ELQ funding last year.
"The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills has had a painful reminder of why cutting support for those who want to retrain was an utterly regressive thing to do."
Another black mark for DIUS
Times Higher Education 22nd January.
MPs have accused the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills of failing to "find its feet" since it was established 18 months ago.
A critical report, released this week by the committee responsible for scrutinising the department, highlights concerns about DIUS' ability to manage its budget and its use of "impenetrable" jargon, which the report says could be an attempt to hide a lack of clear direction.
DIUS was established in June 2007 with a remit to make Britain "one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation".
But the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee (IUSS) report says it is unclear whether it will achieve its objectives or how the £1.5 billion efficiency savings it promised by 2010-11 will be generated.
The committee claims it experienced "frustrations" in scrutinising DIUS' finances. It says costs could not be compared easily with predecessor departments and reports
"a number of concerns" about budget management, including the withdrawal of £100 million for students with degrees studying for equivalent or lower qualifications,
science budget allocations and the movement of resources between the Government's Train to Gain programme and student support.
MPs have accused the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills of failing to "find its feet" since it was established 18 months ago.
A critical report, released this week by the committee responsible for scrutinising the department, highlights concerns about DIUS' ability to manage its budget and its use of "impenetrable" jargon, which the report says could be an attempt to hide a lack of clear direction.
DIUS was established in June 2007 with a remit to make Britain "one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation".
But the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee (IUSS) report says it is unclear whether it will achieve its objectives or how the £1.5 billion efficiency savings it promised by 2010-11 will be generated.
The committee claims it experienced "frustrations" in scrutinising DIUS' finances. It says costs could not be compared easily with predecessor departments and reports
"a number of concerns" about budget management, including the withdrawal of £100 million for students with degrees studying for equivalent or lower qualifications,
science budget allocations and the movement of resources between the Government's Train to Gain programme and student support.
Willetts still champions ELQ cause
Quoted below is part of a letter written by David Willetts MP to John Denham MP. on 9th December 2009
In particular, I am concerned that it is unlikely to provide the sort of flexible support that people need at this difficult time.
As a result of your £100m funding cut for the second-chance students, implemented earlier this year, it is harder than ever for people to go back to university to reskill.
Your new announcement asks universities to offer people the opportunity to upskill in their own subject area, but it says nothing about helping people reskill in order to find work.
Moreover, the new policy does not seem to be consistent with your benefit rules. It is not possible to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or mortgage support if you are in full-time education and simply requesting universities to spend the temporary VAT reduction on postgraduate courses will do little to help new benefit claimants.
It would be interesting to see the reply to this.
In particular, I am concerned that it is unlikely to provide the sort of flexible support that people need at this difficult time.
As a result of your £100m funding cut for the second-chance students, implemented earlier this year, it is harder than ever for people to go back to university to reskill.
Your new announcement asks universities to offer people the opportunity to upskill in their own subject area, but it says nothing about helping people reskill in order to find work.
Moreover, the new policy does not seem to be consistent with your benefit rules. It is not possible to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or mortgage support if you are in full-time education and simply requesting universities to spend the temporary VAT reduction on postgraduate courses will do little to help new benefit claimants.
It would be interesting to see the reply to this.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Inquiry into Future for Lifelong Learning
A NIACE sponsored Inquiry
This is the first Thematic Paper to be published from the Inquiry into the Future
for Lifelong Learning (IFLL). The Inquiry was established in September 2007
and will produce its main report in mid-2009. It is sponsored by the National
Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE)
Demographic change means that the normal lifespan is increasing; the
population is ageing and becoming more diverse. Alongside this, globalisation,
technological and social change mean that most people will experience, during
their lifetime, more change than any previous generation.
If people are to lead satisfying and productive lives, they will need to learn throughout this extended lifespan, constantly building and maintaining their employability, engagement
with society and their autonomy and identity.
We need to know that our contribution is recognised and our needs understood
and addressed, and that we will be treated fairly.
To achieve this, we need to be able to learn throughout our extended lifespan, to build and maintain our employability, to maintain our self confidence and identity and be able to
contribute to the future of the community.
most people are experiencing more frequent, and less predictable, life transitions. As a result of globalisation, technological and social change, transitions are more frequent.
A thought provoking paper, well worth a read.
This is the first Thematic Paper to be published from the Inquiry into the Future
for Lifelong Learning (IFLL). The Inquiry was established in September 2007
and will produce its main report in mid-2009. It is sponsored by the National
Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE)
Demographic change means that the normal lifespan is increasing; the
population is ageing and becoming more diverse. Alongside this, globalisation,
technological and social change mean that most people will experience, during
their lifetime, more change than any previous generation.
If people are to lead satisfying and productive lives, they will need to learn throughout this extended lifespan, constantly building and maintaining their employability, engagement
with society and their autonomy and identity.
We need to know that our contribution is recognised and our needs understood
and addressed, and that we will be treated fairly.
To achieve this, we need to be able to learn throughout our extended lifespan, to build and maintain our employability, to maintain our self confidence and identity and be able to
contribute to the future of the community.
most people are experiencing more frequent, and less predictable, life transitions. As a result of globalisation, technological and social change, transitions are more frequent.
A thought provoking paper, well worth a read.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Black mark for DIUS: must do much better
BBC News
MPs have said the 18-month-old Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills "has not yet found its feet" and may take decades to make an impact.
The committee responsible for scrutinising the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Dius) described the annual report produced by the department last May as "written in an impenetrable style and... peppered with jargon, unsupported assumptions and claims designed to promote Dius".
As a result its report had been "unhelpful" and too reliant on promoting a positive tone rather than providing clear and comprehensive information.
The MPs said they suspected this had been in part because the results of Dius's work "may take years, if not decades, to realise".
And for a department with "innovation" in its title, its methods of operation had been disappointingly lacking in innovation.
MPs have said the 18-month-old Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills "has not yet found its feet" and may take decades to make an impact.
The committee responsible for scrutinising the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Dius) described the annual report produced by the department last May as "written in an impenetrable style and... peppered with jargon, unsupported assumptions and claims designed to promote Dius".
As a result its report had been "unhelpful" and too reliant on promoting a positive tone rather than providing clear and comprehensive information.
The MPs said they suspected this had been in part because the results of Dius's work "may take years, if not decades, to realise".
And for a department with "innovation" in its title, its methods of operation had been disappointingly lacking in innovation.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Report on re-skilling
The report on re-skilling for recovery can be found from this Parliament website.
Pressure to upskill: Government needs more flexibility
House of Commons, Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee, Re-skilling for recovery:
After Leitch, implementing skills and training policies
First Report of Session 2008–09
Paragraph 212
212. We believe that lifelong learning is an important area of policy where effective
solutions must be found. It brings many benefits, both to the individual and to the
economy, and it will be a disaster if the Leitch targets lead to a concentration on the quick wins of qualifications for school-leavers at the expense of older workers who have just as much aptitude and ability. We note that NIACE is currently holding an extensive inquiry into lifelong learning, with the intention of reporting in 2009. We look forward to the outcome of that report at which time we may well return to this subject again.
And now:
From BBC News
a committee of MPs, the skills committee published a report to assess the impact of Lord Leitch's review in 2006 of UK skills levels. It has said the government's Train to Gain programme - introduced in response to Leitch in November 2007 to help employers improve their employees' skills - showed a "lack of flexibility".
This could well have a "serious negative impact on the UK's skills base", the report found.
The committee's report concluded:
"In the current economic downturn, it is essential that Train to Gain, as the main source of government funding for skills development, is made flexible enough to deal with rapid adjustments for people who have been made redundant and need quick retraining."
"We've got to be more realistic about providing people with the skills to access the labour market," said the committee's chairman Phil Willis.
"Since Lord Leitch published his review of skills, the economic climate has worsened and it is imperative that the government responds appropriately by making radical changes to its skills policy."
And in Politics.co.uk
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), comments on re-skilling:
"We agree wholeheartedly with the select committee that the government must make radical changes to its skill policy, to make the system more responsive to individual needs.
"A greater commitment to lifelong learning is required if the workforce is to be flexible enough to weather the storm of this recession.
"This is why NUS has joined with partners across the education sector and civil society to form the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (CALL) to expose the damage that adult education cuts have wrought across the country.
"This was starkly illustrated by the effects of cuts to the equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQs) leaving many people unable to retrain because they can no longer afford to do so.
After Leitch, implementing skills and training policies
First Report of Session 2008–09
Paragraph 212
212. We believe that lifelong learning is an important area of policy where effective
solutions must be found. It brings many benefits, both to the individual and to the
economy, and it will be a disaster if the Leitch targets lead to a concentration on the quick wins of qualifications for school-leavers at the expense of older workers who have just as much aptitude and ability. We note that NIACE is currently holding an extensive inquiry into lifelong learning, with the intention of reporting in 2009. We look forward to the outcome of that report at which time we may well return to this subject again.
And now:
From BBC News
a committee of MPs, the skills committee published a report to assess the impact of Lord Leitch's review in 2006 of UK skills levels. It has said the government's Train to Gain programme - introduced in response to Leitch in November 2007 to help employers improve their employees' skills - showed a "lack of flexibility".
This could well have a "serious negative impact on the UK's skills base", the report found.
The committee's report concluded:
"In the current economic downturn, it is essential that Train to Gain, as the main source of government funding for skills development, is made flexible enough to deal with rapid adjustments for people who have been made redundant and need quick retraining."
"We've got to be more realistic about providing people with the skills to access the labour market," said the committee's chairman Phil Willis.
"Since Lord Leitch published his review of skills, the economic climate has worsened and it is imperative that the government responds appropriately by making radical changes to its skills policy."
And in Politics.co.uk
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), comments on re-skilling:
"We agree wholeheartedly with the select committee that the government must make radical changes to its skill policy, to make the system more responsive to individual needs.
"A greater commitment to lifelong learning is required if the workforce is to be flexible enough to weather the storm of this recession.
"This is why NUS has joined with partners across the education sector and civil society to form the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (CALL) to expose the damage that adult education cuts have wrought across the country.
"This was starkly illustrated by the effects of cuts to the equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQs) leaving many people unable to retrain because they can no longer afford to do so.
CALL: register for lobby of Parliament
Register now for CALL lobby.
On Wednesday 25 February 2009 the CALL Campaign is holding a mass lobby of Parliament to take our message to MPs across all parties.
The lobby will start at 10.30am with briefings and registration for participants at a venue close to Westminster (to be confirmed soon).
The rally in the House of Commons will start at 12.30pm in Committee Room 14 and the lobby will finish at 4pm.
You can register your interest is attending through this online form or by contacting Funso Akande at
funso.akande@niace.org.uk
020 7922 7960.
On Wednesday 25 February 2009 the CALL Campaign is holding a mass lobby of Parliament to take our message to MPs across all parties.
The lobby will start at 10.30am with briefings and registration for participants at a venue close to Westminster (to be confirmed soon).
The rally in the House of Commons will start at 12.30pm in Committee Room 14 and the lobby will finish at 4pm.
You can register your interest is attending through this online form or by contacting Funso Akande at
funso.akande@niace.org.uk
020 7922 7960.
CALL: Bulletin 7
CALL Bulletin 7
This bulletin is focused on building the CALL campaign leading up to the lobby of the House of Commons on the 25 February 2008. In preparation for the lobby we want you to arrange local CALL activities to boost the profile of the campaign and to build support for the lobby.
Full details of the lobby and plenty of campaigning ideas can be found in the bulletin itself, and can be downloaded from the above link.
Please feel free to print and distribute as widely as possible.
This bulletin is focused on building the CALL campaign leading up to the lobby of the House of Commons on the 25 February 2008. In preparation for the lobby we want you to arrange local CALL activities to boost the profile of the campaign and to build support for the lobby.
Full details of the lobby and plenty of campaigning ideas can be found in the bulletin itself, and can be downloaded from the above link.
Please feel free to print and distribute as widely as possible.
CALL: local event alert
Event: Local CALL meeting, Hammersmith and West London College
Location: Hammersmith and West London College, Gliddon road, London W14 (nearest tube: Barons Court)
Date: 12 February 2009
Time: 7-9pm
Please come and show your support as we will be holding a public meeting in support of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning. All welcome.
So far we have confirmed speakers from NIACE (Paul Mackney), UCU and the Women’s Institute, with more to follow.
Location: Hammersmith and West London College, Gliddon road, London W14 (nearest tube: Barons Court)
Date: 12 February 2009
Time: 7-9pm
Please come and show your support as we will be holding a public meeting in support of the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning. All welcome.
So far we have confirmed speakers from NIACE (Paul Mackney), UCU and the Women’s Institute, with more to follow.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
CALL: mass lobby of Parliament
CALL is happy to announce that date has been set for our mass lobby of Parliament.
The date is Wednesday 25 February 2009 and we are in the early stages of planning a full day of campaigning and lobbying activity, inside and outside of Westminster.
Please put this date in your diary now and start planning how you can build locally for the lobby. More details will be posted on this site in the near future.
The date is Wednesday 25 February 2009 and we are in the early stages of planning a full day of campaigning and lobbying activity, inside and outside of Westminster.
Please put this date in your diary now and start planning how you can build locally for the lobby. More details will be posted on this site in the near future.
Labourlist.org: leave a comment
The new Labour blog, Labourlist.org has a fair selection of articles by various Labour people, after which comments can be left.
They are pre-moderated but I've seen some very anti Labour comments so pop on down there and find a spot to comment about the ELQ issue.
I've commented on the particular page I've linked to, as Alan Milburn mentioned learning for life. Other education related comments have also been left after his piece. I await with interest some more learned responses being left.
They are pre-moderated but I've seen some very anti Labour comments so pop on down there and find a spot to comment about the ELQ issue.
I've commented on the particular page I've linked to, as Alan Milburn mentioned learning for life. Other education related comments have also been left after his piece. I await with interest some more learned responses being left.
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