Bristol protests against education cuts
23 April 2010
Teachers and students will march through Bristol tomorrow, 24 April, in protest against course closures and job cuts at the Beacon Centre.
The protestors will set off from the Beacon Centre on Lawrence Hill at 12.00 and march to Castle Park for a rally that will start at 1.30pm.
The Beacon Centre works with the most deprived communities in Bristol and some of the courses at risk include basic literacy and maths, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and sign language.
The demonstration, which has been organised by members of UCU, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), UNITE and UNISON, comes after funding was cut for vital adult education provision and the news that the Beacon Centre's Barton Hill site will be closed.
UCU says the planned cuts fly in the face of government initiatives which call on local authorities to prioritise ESOL and fund courses for groups that are traditionally difficult to reach with education. The union said that essential courses, which allow students to progress to the higher level English classes, are precisely the ones that will be axed.
Karen Iles, who teaches at the Beacon Centre, said: 'The cuts would deprive the people of Bristol of a vital lifeline. People need access to local colleges and adult education centres to improve their skills and build a sense of community. At a time of recession it is important to invest in education for local people and not erect barriers that prevent them from having that vital chance to get on.'
The Beacon Centre works with the most deprived communities in Bristol and some of the courses at risk include basic literacy and maths, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and sign language.
The demonstration, which has been organised by members of UCU, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), UNITE and UNISON, comes after funding was cut for vital adult education provision and the news that the Beacon Centre's Barton Hill site will be closed.
UCU says the planned cuts fly in the face of government initiatives which call on local authorities to prioritise ESOL and fund courses for groups that are traditionally difficult to reach with education. The union said that essential courses, which allow students to progress to the higher level English classes, are precisely the ones that will be axed.
Karen Iles, who teaches at the Beacon Centre, said: 'The cuts would deprive the people of Bristol of a vital lifeline. People need access to local colleges and adult education centres to improve their skills and build a sense of community. At a time of recession it is important to invest in education for local people and not erect barriers that prevent them from having that vital chance to get on.'
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