[EDLING:2245] UK: UCU To Lobby Govt Over ESOL

[Francis M Hult]

Via lgpolicy...

> UCU To Lobby Govt Over ESOL
> 16 January 2007
> 
> Pressure for change in policy gathering steam according to union The
> University and College Union (UCU) launched a massive campaign yesterday
> to lobby government in a bid to reverse the decision on ESOL funding.
> Unions, colleges and other assorted organisations gathered in London to
> debate the future of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL),
> following the recent shift in priorities for the adult education budget.
> According to the UCU, nearly 100 MPs have signed an EDM calling for the
> government to reinstate appropriate funding for ESOL learning particularly
> for those least able to afford to pay for their own training.
> 
> Paul Mackney, Joint General Secretary of UCU, said: This government is
> basing much of its economic success on labour from overseas. It has an
> obligation to provide the language lessons which enable migrants, refugees
> and their families to play their full part not only at work but also in
> society. We would encourage all those who agree with us to engage with our
> campaign for a ministerial rethink, he added. Other commentators who are
> pushing for ESOLs free status to be reinstated include Lisa Nandy, from
> the Childrens Society. She said: In light of the efforts being made to aid
> integration and build social cohesion it seems at best short-sighted to
> pursue a policy which will create pools of exclusion containing people who
> may remain in the UK for the rest of their lives.
> 
> Vicki Fagg, Principal of the College of North West London, highlighted the
> course closures she has overseen at her college: We have been forced to
> cut 750 places from ESOL and other adult education courses this year. We
> have just under 1,000 people on the waiting list for English language
> lessons. These people may therefore be prevented from accessing other
> training and education programmes and/or the labour market and
> contributing to our economy. The risk they will be socially excluded will
> be greater. And a spokesperson from the Learning and Skills Council was
> quoted as saying: Restricting access to ESOL and other FE provision for
> asylum seekers is inconsistent with Government policy on integration,
> community cohesion and citizenship. The Governments own policy document
> Integration Matters recognises that although full integration may well not
> start until the granting of refugee or similar status, the integration
> process starts on arrival. There is widespread recognition that English
> language is essential to integration.
> 
> Hashmat Ghezally trumpeted the benefits of free ESOL training: I came and
> sought asylum to the UK on 15/02/00 with no word of English, on 16/02/00 I
> went to an ESOl class in Dover, soon after three months I registered to
> the local library and started to borrow books. He continues: It would be
> interesting to calculate and find out how much money was spent on me for
> attending ESOL classes and how much I have contributed as a part time and
> full time tax payer since January 2001. If ESOL wasnt free, I wouldnt have
> been able to afford to learn English.
> 
> http://www.fenews.co.uk/newsview.asp?n=2200