Community colleges face funding cut

Community colleges may have to cut course offerings after the Carr Government cut funding by $4 million for next year.

The Government has achieved this 18 per cent cut by changing the rules about the kind of courses it will support, providing funding only for approved vocational courses.

Shadow education minister Jillian Skinner said in a press release: "It is clear that Education Minister Andrew Refshauge has no idea of the importance of adult education for people who wish to extend their knowledge."

Mrs Skinner said the funding cuts could result in many people missing out on courses.

"These colleges have always charged fees for their courses without complaint with the government providing a small allocation for general costs.

"But this year it has changed the rules about the kind of courses it will support, providing funding only for approved vocational courses."

"The big losers will be people, many of them older members of the community, who do language courses, learn computer skills or learn to paint," Ms Skinner said.

Ms Skinner said Dr Refshauge "either doesn't understand or has chosen to ignore research that shows that an active mind helps with their health and well-being".

"Community colleges enrolled over 400,000 students this year and the budget cuts will mean many people will miss out next year," Mrs Skinner said.

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