19 September 2001

WORKERS EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION HAS IMPORTANT ROLE IN ADULT EDUCATION SAYS FARREN

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Sean Farren, has highlighted the important role played by the Workers Educational Association in the provision of adult education courses.

The Minister was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Association in Belfast. He praised the work of the WEA and said: "The Workers Educational Association has led the way in Northern Ireland for over 90 years in providing good quality adult education. It has played, and will continue to play, an important role in delivering the Government’s Agenda for Lifelong Learning.

"The Government wishes to see more adult basic education provision but, also, to see much more of the general voluntary/community provision from the WEA and other bodies leading to a recognised qualification. The Department also values non-accredited types of learning and understands its importance for lifelong learning.

"The International Adult Literacy Survey has estimated that 24% of our adult population have difficulties with literacy or numeracy. Tackling poor basic skills is one of my key priorities, and indeed a priority for the Executive. An important step in addressing this situation was the establishment of the Basic Skills Unit, charged with advising my Department on the development of an appropriate strategy."

The Minister acknowledged WEA’s intention to focus primarily on the areas of Basic Skills and Citizenship over the next three years and their intention to treat as priority, the areas of creative learning; computer based learning; building communities; workplace learning and women’s education.

Dr Farren concluded his speech by congratulating the organisation on its continuing commitment and dedication and wished them continued success.