Adult Education: 60 years on… death by a thousand cuts

Clavis Aurea

Not surprisingly, ask the staff who work there and you may hear another story. To them the organisation is being steadily cut and eroded in such a way that it will simply be gone within a few years. Not with a big ‘bang’ but with a quiet, whimpering demise that politicians and public servant empire builders alike will be able to sweep conveniently under the nearest carpet without uttering a word.
ANY request to the Minister for Education, David Bartlett, to comment on the current health of the much loved Tasmanian institution Adult Education as it approaches its 60th birthday, will no doubt be met by typical political-speak along the lines that the government is fully committed to maintaining adult education, and indeed increasing the learning opportunities of all Tasmanians …

Not surprisingly, ask the staff who work there and you may hear another story. To them the organisation is being steadily cut and eroded in such a way that it will simply be gone within a few years. Not with a big ‘bang’ but with a quiet, whimpering demise that politicians and public servant empire builders alike will be able to sweep conveniently under the nearest carpet without uttering a word.

To date Adult Education has been a real ‘survivor’ in terms of government educational delivery. Despite always being the poor funding cousin, it has managed to grow from its humble beginnings as a Workers Education Society in 1949, into a unique organisation both within Australia and indeed the world.

With less than 30 staff (many part-time) and a budget of 1.8 million dollars Adult Education regularly offers learning opportunities to approximately 35,000 Tasmanians per year. The offerings are diverse and can range from basic computers skills, to DIY divorce, language classes to plant propagation, pilates to bush walking. These learning opportunities fulfil an equally diverse number of roles including contributing to the physical and mental health of the population, gaining workplace and life skills, allowing adults to re-enter education in a relaxed and informal manner, providing social networking opportunities and building social capital, not to mention keeping the ever increasing number of older minds alive, active and learning.

The formation of the government’s Community Knowledge Network (CKN) over 18 months ago saw Adult Education ‘merged’ with the library and on-line access centres (already largely under library control) and on paper provides the opportunity for adult learning opportunities to grow and prosper. The reality however, is much different. Since joining the CKN here is how Adult Education has fared:

• Programs have been cut state-wide.

• Enrolments have fallen state-wide. Less people are involved in adult learning now than 18 months ago.

• Prices have increased state-wide.

• Staffing hours have been reduced state-wide.

• 3 staff members (ie 10% of staff) have taken stress leave. None at this stage have been returned to the workforce.

• Staff have been warned for being ‘aggressive’ for voicing opinions.

• One staff member resigned after she felt her concerns re bullying and harassment were ignored by management.

• Staff have been denied professional development opportunities for over a year.

• Nearly all leaving staff are replaced by staff on temporary contracts.

• Little of the organisational culture of Adult Education remains – what once was a vibrant, democratic and creative workplace is now characterised by demoralised staff afraid to speak out.

And what has been gained? Several layers of new bureaucracy with accompanying staff, titles, offices, regulations and procedures; hundreds of hours spent in expensive meetings; time wasted on preventable union action by disgruntled staff; and lots of plans for new buildings which supposedly will eventually offer some people somewhere something.

But one more opportunity for a Tasmanian adult to learn? So far, not yet.

Clavis Aurea