September Programme of Adult Continuing Education Courses Published

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jul 2005

Milton Keynes Council's Adult Continuing Education Service (MK ACE) has published its programme of courses for September, and learners immediately started to apply for places, despite fears they may be affected by the cut in the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funding that supports the service.

MK ACE was forced to make last-minute changes to its autumn course programme in order to preserve a service which the Adult Learning Inspectorate recently said offered 'good educational and social inclusion'. The changes include:

• Higher prices for some courses

• Reduced concessions

• Reduced opening hours in the popular computer training centres.

The LSC has cut funding for adults' courses because the Government want to put more money into courses for 16-19 year-olds. MK ACE's grant has been cut by £220,000.

Councillor Euan Henderson, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, said: "Adult Continuing Education makes a vital contribution to our community. Our Learner Award Ceremony on 14 July highlighted the personal, social, economic and health benefits it can bring to adults of all ages, cultures and means. In our growing city, we need more courses, not fewer.

"It is essential that we steer a path through the present crisis to minimise the effect of the funding cuts on the learners who have in the past benefited most from low-cost local learning. These include parents, carers and older people who do not qualify for income-based benefits, but have little money to spare."

For more information on the autumn programme of courses contact ACE through the website at www.mkweb.co.uk/adulteducation/ or by telephone on 01908 556700. You can also e-mail adult.education@milton-keynes.gov.uk or you can pick up a brochure at MK ACE's headquarters in Cofferidge Close, Stony Stratford, or at any library.