Why Can't we Learn for Fun?

5.40.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Zoe Patrick, expressed her strong dismay at today's County Cabinet meeting about the effect that the Government emphasis on learning for work was having on adult education courses in Oxfordshire. This arises from the Learning and Skills Council having reduced funding and so changing their curriculum to concentrate on courses that assist people gain employment.

She said, "Very many people enjoy going to classes, whether it is flower arranging, painting or learning IT skills. Not everyone wants to have to gain a qualification; these classes offer people a social occasion where they can meet others and share their hobbies together.

"Languages in particular have been brought to my attention. Both the French and Spanish tutors at my own Centre for Community Education have resigned due the pressures of marking assessments, when their students have just come along to learn a bit of French and Spanish for their summer holidays. Now those students are complaining that they have to fill out forms assessing their tutor, sit tests and generally find that enjoyment is knocked out of the course.

"Why can't we be allowed to learn just for fun nowadays? When targets and rules mean that holiday Spanish has to lead to a qualification, or it cannot be taught for enjoyment alone, something has gone very wrong with our priorities. We should be considering ways to increase people's quality of life, not just their skills."