Save ESOL campaign descends on Downing Street
25 May 2007
The Save ESOL campaign observed Adult Learning Week by delivering a petition signed by over 15,000 students, tutors and campaign supporters.
It calls on government to ditch plans to remove automatic fee remission for English classes.
The petition was presented to 10 Downing Street on Thursday afternoon. Union and student leaders Paul Mackney and NUS' Ruqayyah Collector accompanied students to Tony Blair's official residence during the closing weeks of his premiership. The delegation included Malalai Formouli an Afghan doctor who is unable to practice medicine in Britain as she cannot afford ESOL course costs.
Dr Formouli said: 'I am supporting the Save ESOL campaign because many refugees and immigrants are professionals who could contribute more to the UK if language training provision was more accessible.'
Paul Mackney, UCU joint general secretary said: 'The Save ESOL campaign is not going away. In Adult Learning Week it is shameful that thousands of adults are currently being driven from learning instead of assisted into it. ESOL classes bring great benefits to the economy, to social cohesion and to the lives of thousands of people.'
Click here for more information on the campaign or to register for the ESOL conference on 29 June.
The petition was presented to 10 Downing Street on Thursday afternoon. Union and student leaders Paul Mackney and NUS' Ruqayyah Collector accompanied students to Tony Blair's official residence during the closing weeks of his premiership. The delegation included Malalai Formouli an Afghan doctor who is unable to practice medicine in Britain as she cannot afford ESOL course costs.
Dr Formouli said: 'I am supporting the Save ESOL campaign because many refugees and immigrants are professionals who could contribute more to the UK if language training provision was more accessible.'
Paul Mackney, UCU joint general secretary said: 'The Save ESOL campaign is not going away. In Adult Learning Week it is shameful that thousands of adults are currently being driven from learning instead of assisted into it. ESOL classes bring great benefits to the economy, to social cohesion and to the lives of thousands of people.'
Click here for more information on the campaign or to register for the ESOL conference on 29 June.
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