E/1982/3/Add.16
English Page 4
Specific funding mechanisms
11.
The general approach of successive Governments has been that the most fundamental needs of the ethnic minorities are essentially the same as the population as a whole, and that it is through the general expenditure programmes of central and local Government that these needs should be met. It has been recognized that these general programmes need to be adapted to the presence of ethnic minorities, and to be sensitive to the special needs arising from language and culture differences. To encourage this mode of assistance, Governments have paid specific grants to local authorities, primarily through the Local Government Act 1966, (sect. 11) and, because substantial numbers of ethnic minorities live in inner city areas, the Urban Aid Programme has also made a vital contribution.
B*
Article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2 (d)
Paragraph 1
12. Local education authorities provide continuing, including adult, education within the over-all provision of further education, as defined in the 1944 Education Act. Continuing education covers such education as follows the continuous preparatory stage of formal study completed before entering main employment. Educational developments since 1944 have resulted in the 1944 Education Act needing amendment and the Department of Education has issued for discussion suggestions for revising the legal basis for further education generally.
13.
A great range of adult education programmes at many levels of attainment is already offered in England. Whether in the arts and crafts, or in civil education, they assist personal development and often help people to participate more effectively in a free society. In addition, adult education particularly that provided by voluntary bodies is managed so as to provide full participation by students from all areas of society.
14.
Some 90 per cent of adult education programmes are provided by local education authorities in the light of local needs and resources; the remainder is provided by the extramural departments of universities and by voluntary bodies. In the context of the counter-inflation strategy, the Government expects the beneficiaries of adult education to meet some of the costs of this provision, but local education authorities are being encouraged to continue to subsidize the cost of courses for people who would not be in a position to pay fees, and who would thus otherwise be excluded from participation such as the retired, the unemployed or those in need
of literacy tuition.
15. Courses are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. They are intended to be available to all adults able to benefit, without reference to religion, colour, previous educational experience and, as far as possible, age or geographical location. Needs in rural areas are still being met, although there is an inevitable pressure, as a result of constrained resources, to rationalize at central points. The Government is aware of the continuing need for research into the efficiency of the system in meeting specific adult education needs, and supports relevant research projects.
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