Only two years ago, the adult education sector was called ‘the crown’ and community learning its ‘jewel’ by the education select committee. So why is a narrow offer (unless you can pay) possibly set to become even narrower? Jess Staufenberg finds out
The “existential decline” of the adult education sector because of drops in funding, status and public awareness of provision is a national tragedy, say sector leaders and experts.
FE Week can reveal a mass move among adult education providers towards fee-paying courses as free languages and creative arts provision is squeezed out; preventative programmes under threat from a new government consultation; and a residential adult provision that believes its specialist funding will be pulled from 2023.
