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There are 165,000 fewer people enrolled in adult education
courses than in 2009, according to Labour Tertiary Education
spokesperson David Shearer.
The government announced shortly after being elected it would cut
adult education funding by up to 80%, and many night schools have
been forced to close as a result.
Education Minister Anne Tolley said in 2009 the cuts were a part of
the government's plan to focus its education investment on young
people.
She said cutting education spending was necessary to cut government
debt.
But Shearer says the cuts have decimated Adult Community Education,
with the number of school providers dropping from 212 to just 23
since funding cuts came into force.
He said some regions now have no access to community education, and
that in Northland, a high unemployment area, there is just one
school provider.
"We should be encouraging people to take up training not making it
harder for them," Sharer said.
"Night school has been an important option for those looking to
up-skill and is a much-loved part of New Zealand culture."
Tertiary education minister Steven Joyce said in Question Time
today people could access adult education in other ways, such as
through tertiary education institutions and community groups.
He said the Government had no plans to restore adult education
funding.
