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Adult Education

Volume 195: debated on Tuesday 23 July 1991

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To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his plans for the future of adult education.

The White Paper "Access and Opportunity" sets out proposals designed to encourage greater participation by people in education and training throughout their working lives.I welcome the expansion of adult provision over recent years. This has been encouraged by programmes such as the Scottish wider access programme and by the reform of vocational qualifications. Further education colleges have played an important part in this process and will continue to do so.Subject to the passage of legislation, I will take over from 1 April 1993 the duty of education authorities under Section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to secure adequate and efficient provision of further education in the following areas:

  • (a) Courses leading to vocational qualifications;
  • (b) Courses leading to any Scottish Examination Board qualifications or GCE;
  • (c) Courses to meet special educational needs;
  • (d) Courses for speakers of languages other than the English language to gain proficiency in the English language;
  • (e) Courses preparing for access to higher education institutions or advanced vocational qualifications; and
  • (f) Courses and activities designed to facilitate adult participation in education and training.
  • Education authorities will also be given a power to secure provision of further education in these areas.

    Education authorities will retain a duty to secure adequate and efficient provision of other areas of further education. This will include community education which encompasses social and recreational education.

    Colleges of further education will, therefore, provide a wide range of education for adults and education authorities will retain their responsibility for community education. Provision for that can continue to be made in a wide range of facilities, including schools and colleges.