 Ruskin College aims to kindle a love of learning in adults |
The government is putting the education of disadvantaged adults at risk by its narrow focus on basic skills for work, a college principal has warned. Professor Audrey Mullender, of Ruskin College, Oxford, was speaking on the 30th anniversary of the "Great Debate".
In 1976, the then prime minister, James Callaghan, said education was not only about training people for work.
Ms Mullender said ministers should not lose sight of his ideal to also create rounded people - a charge they reject.
Ruskin College runs degrees and courses for adult learners, some who may have been homeless, out of work or suffered health problems.
Niche facility
The residential college aims to gives its 400 full-time students and about 4,000 part-timers a second chance at an education.
"We are not very large but we do fill a gap," she said.
This year, the Learning and Skills Council cut their funding by 11%, prompting concerns for its future.
"We could be squeezed out," said Ms Mullender.
"They [the government] are looking at it in this mechanistic way, but without us, the nation would be the loser.
"This is somewhere where people have a tremendous contribution to make - to obtain a qualification and kindle a love of learning and it is a place where they can reach their educational potential.
"Then they can give something back to society," she said.
"We are not down in the mouth. We have reopened a debate that has struck a chord with a lot of people."
Skills minister Phil Hope, who also spoke at the conference, said: "Our progressive values require us to focus on that which has the biggest impact.
"It has to be right that we prioritise improving basic skills and employability because it is through these that we have the biggest impact on people's lives.
"Some say our new priorities are at the expense of traditional adult and community education. This is not the case. We remain totally committed to lifelong learning."
Among the academics that gathered for the debate on Wednesday was daughter of Jim Callaghan, Baroness Jay.
The so-called Great Debate was considered to have changed the course of education policy and is still widely referenced today.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
This is somewhere where people have a tremendous contribution to make
