AONTAS Update...
22nd September 2009 Issue 3
WELCOME!
Weekly Survey
Welcome to the AONTAS Update! The AONTAS Update is a new weekly resource designed to keep members informed about current lifelong learning issues as well as what’s happening in AONTAS! Please let us know what you think of the bulletin by taking a short survey here. This week don’t forget to nominate an adult learning project for a STAR Award. The STAR Awards are about showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition, about recognising and celebrating the invaluable work undertaken by adult & community education providers nationwide. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, 27 November 2009 at 5pm. Nominate online here. The Update will be e-mailed to members every Tuesday afternoon. If you have difficulty viewing the Update in your e-mail window, download as a PDF by clicking here. Members are very welcome to contribute and if you have anything for inclusion, please e-mail it to Eleonora Peruffo (eperuffo@aontas.com) by 5pm on Monday afternoon. The Update will be e-mailed to members every Tuesday afternoon. If you have difficulty viewing the Update in your e-mail window, download as a PDF by clicking here. Members are very welcome to contribute and if you have anything for inclusion, please e-mail it to Eleonora Peruffo (eperuffo@aontas.com) by 5pm on Monday afternoon.
POLICY Adult Education News Politics
Let us know what you think of the new AONTAS Update by clicking here Each week, we will include a short poll / survey in the AONTAS Update. This is just one opportunity for members to let us know your opinions on the current issues!
PROMOTION
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
Adult Learners’ Festival News Publications & Websites
AONTAS News AONTAS Membership
Information Referral Service International News
POLICY ADULT EDUCATION NEWS Call for changes to one size fits all education system The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) which advises Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’ Keefe on the primary and secondary level curricula, say points have become a negative force in education. The NCCA makes its criticism in a submission to the National Strategy for Higher Education. (Irish Independent, 14 September 2009) Student stage Dail rally over third level fees 30 students camped outside Leinster House on Monday night (14 Sept 09) to protest against the reintroduction of third level fees. The members of the USI were joined by hundreds of students on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 for a rally. Tuesday was the deadline set by Minister for Education, Batt O’ Keefe for Cabinet members to submit their views on the reintroduction of fees issue.(Irish Times 15 September 2009) Community role played by VECs must be recognised Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of the IVEA commented on the An Bord Snip Report recommendations in relation to abolishing 11 of the States 33 Vocational Education Committees in the Irish Independent on Wednesday, 16 September 09. Read more here O’Keefe signals reduction in number of VECs Several Vocational Education Committees (VECs) could be abolished in a major scaling back of the sector, Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe signalled on Wednesday, 16 September 2009. The Minister said the separate pay structure and administration for each of the 33 VECs in the State seems “out of step” with the rationalisation now under way across the public sector. (The Irish Times, 17 September 09) and (Irish Times 19 September 09)
******
POLITICS Legislative agenda for autumn Government Chief Whip Pat Carey unveiled the legislative programme for the autumn session on Wednesday, 17 September 09. Minister Carey said “The Bills that we are indicating will be published in the coming session reflect the work ongoing across Government departments as we continue to lead Ireland through difficult times in the domestic and world economy”. There are two bills in relation to education: Education (Patronage) Bill George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill For more information, please visit www.oireachtas.ie
******
To keep up to date with AONTAS Policy News, please visit www.aontas.com/policy
Back to Contents
PROMOTION ADULT LEARNERS FESTIVAL NEWS Is your project an Adult Learning STAR? AONTAS is happy to welcome nominations for the fourth annual STAR Awards initiative which takes place as part of the Adult Learners’ Festival 2010. Nominations are invited from adult education organisations, community and voluntary groups, the private sector, government agencies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations providing or participating in adult learning.
PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES
Have a look at this new website: Bluebrick.ie Minister for education Nominated projects were requested to demonstrate the following criteria: Batt O’Keefe officially launched bluebrick.ie at A high level of teamwork and partnership amongst participant groups the Department of A learner-centred approach to education provision Education and Science Adult education practice and methodologies in Dublin last week. Make your nomination online by clicking here. The deadline for receipt of BlueBrick.ie is a student focussed information nominations is Friday, 27 November 2009 at 5pm. portal. The portal The Adult Learners’ Festival takes place from 22 – 26 February 2010. provides information on academic programmes, Visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com for more information. modules and accredited professional courses suitable to future ****** career/business needs.
Back to Contents
MEMBERSHIP AONTAS NEWS Regional Meetings – Roadshow During the coming months AONTAS is organising a series of regional meetings across the country. The aim of the meetings will be to support the sector, strengthen its capacity to organise and lobby, and demonstrate the importance, value and innovation of the work done by adult and community education providers. Since our VEC members are key providers, AONTAS has asked them to partner it in hosting the meetings which will serve as a platform for highlighting the excellent collaborative work delivered across the country and create a space for discussion on current challenges facing the sector. Please click here to see details about dates and venues.
AONTAS MEMBERSHIP Over 550 learners, tutors, adult education coordinators, managers, policy makers and many other interested organisations and individuals avail of the many benefits of AONTAS
****** Any organisation, group
Community Education Network th
The next meeting of the CEN will be Wednesday 14 October 2009, further information to follow shortly. Read more to find out dates and venues New reports uploaded: check it out
Senior Learner Network It's Your Network - Don't Stop Now! The next Senior Learner Network Meeting will take place on Monday, 28th September 2009 from 10am until 3.30pm, in The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Read More
or individual that is involved, or interested, in adult and community education may apply for membership. If you feel that you would benefit both in your practice and personally from AONTAS join our vibrant organisation today!
******
AONTAS Online Discussion Forums Community Education Discussion Forum http://groups.google.ie/group/aontas-community-educationnetwork For more information about this network please click here to go to our website. Adult Learner Discussion Forum http://groups.google.ie/group/aontas-learner-networks For more information about this network please click here to go to our website
******
Back to Contents
INFORMATION EDUCATION & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES st
We are having an Open Evening on Thursday 1 October 2009 for the Adult Learning BA for Personal and Professional Development in All Hallows College between 7.30pm and 9.00 pm. Contacts: Colm Kilgallon All Hallows College, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 Telephone: 01-837-3745, Direct Line: 01-852-0711, Mobile: 086-831-6527 Email: ckilgallon@allhallows.ie Website: www.allhallows.ie
******
International News Grundtivg workshop LOF Ringsted invites you to a Grundtvig Workshop in Denmark on the Medieval Ages c. 1100-1300 in non-formal adult education. The workshop is to be held in the old town of Ringsted (Central Zealand) and surroundings which have a rich cultural heritage from the Medieval Ages. http://www.visitringsted.dk/international/en-gb/menu/turist/turistmaalgruppe-forside.htm Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Mogens Larsen, LOF Ringsted, ringsted@lof.dk , for further information.
INFORMATION REFERRAL SERVICE Information Stats This week the AONTAS info referral service presents a report about the WhichCourse Expo which took place on 29th-30th August. Click here for the report
******
Information Booklet
******
Back to Contents
If you are interested in returning to education why not contact our Information Referral Service on 01 4068220. Alternatively, download a copy of the Information Booklet by clicking here www.ifpro.de
AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. It is a non-governmental organisation that exists to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society. For further information visit www.aontas.com or www.adultlearnersfestival.com. Apologies for any cross posting. If you no longer wish to receive information from AONTAS, please e-mail mail@aontas.com. AONTAS – The National Adult Learning Organisation 83 – 87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6W Ph 01 4068220«Fax 014068227«E-mail mail@aontas.com Company Registration: 80958 Charity Registration: 6719