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31/03/09 : Uni cuts on public programme opposed - and Council offers students a lifeline :
Answering a public question at the Council meeting on 31 March, Cllr Jon Hartley, Lead Councillor for Education & Lifelong Learning, attacked a proposal by the Reading University to close their School of Continuing Education, which supports students studying for a Higher Education qualification equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification that they have already been awarded.
He said: "The Council has held meetings with Reading University to discuss the likely impact should the closure be confirmed by the University Senate. It is very sad that the University is once again looking to remove facilities that are valued and much used by local people, particularly at a time when informal adult learning is nationally very topical. I do hope that your campaign is more successful than other recent appeals to the University's sense of civic responsibility (when they closed the School of Health and Social Care).
"Should the recommendation go forward, the gap in provision will not be easy to close. However, New Directions, the RBC-supported Learning & Employment service for Reading, offers a whole raft of non-accredited adult community learning provision, which students who currently attend Reading University courses may consider. As well as RBC supporting a service that can bridge aspects of the gap it is also worth noting that, in line with a recently released white paper confirming the important role that local authorities have in supporting lifelong learning, the Council co-ordinates an active group which draws together all the various providers of Adult Learning in the town including TVU New Directions, WEA, Resource, SITE, Sport Reading and Reading Learning Centre.
"This group works together to promote a range of learning opportunities across the town and I hope that working with you and other students of the School of Continuing Education, we will be able to provide some practical assistance at this difficult time."
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