Protesters speak out against underfunding of adult education programs ahead of proposed closures

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Concerned educators and students are voicing their displeasure at the lack of funding for adult education.

The reaction comes as the Vancouver School Board considers closing two more adult education centres.

Advocates say the provincial government has been cutting funding for adult education for the past five years, despite the promise of an “education guarantee” that was announced in 2008.

“That meant that any adult student, any student over the age of 18, could take courses for free. It was a wonderful thing, and we had lots and lots of students who were taking advantage of getting an education,” said Chris Murphy, former president of VESTA  Adult Education.

But he adds the government started backtracking on their guarantee in 2012, and began downloading costs onto students.

“Our students are largely immigrants, they’re the working poor, they’re single parents, they’re under-employed… the people that are the most vulnerable demographic in our province and unfortunately the government has decided that they should cover the cost and bear the brunt of their own education.” According to Murphy, a lot of students can’t afford $550 per class.

Cutting funding for adult education programs means the number of schools will go from six schools to just one.

 

Twenty-four year-old Brendan Paterson is a student at the Gathering Place Education Centre in Vancouver and says administrators don’t understand the impact of the decisions they’re making.

“It seems like there’s more thought that needs to be put in, but from their vantage point that they stick to, they’re not capable of seeing certain information that’s vital to decision-making,” said Paterson, who’s currently studying pre-calculus 11 with the hopes of enrolling in Computer Sciences once he’s done.

“I have to be very careful and methodical and slow about finishing my high school because once I finish my high school if I have to upgrade any courses it’s going to cost me $550 and currently, it only takes me $20.”

Protesters believe providing affordable adult education opportunities means a better economy, because people are seeking out better paying jobs and putting more money back into the system.

Murphy believes education, especially a high school education, is a right, and shouldn’t be treated like a privilege.

“Instead of cutting programs that matter to our province and communities, they need to fund it, they need to repeal the cut to adult education. Stop charging poor students $550 a course, which they can’t afford, and start putting people back into school, back into jobs. We’re absolutely disgusted by what’s been happening over the past few years with adult education.”

 

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today