Commenting on Derbyshire County Council’s decision to close five adult education centres* without consultation, UNISON East Midlands regional head of local government Emma Roberts said:
“Adult education gives people the chance to learn new skills, gain qualifications and improve their lives.
“Taking away local centres risks denying some of the most disadvantaged a vital second chance of education and opportunities to find work, progress in their careers or simply build confidence.
“Derbyshire has a proud tradition of lifelong learning. Decisions like this, taken behind closed doors with no consultation, undermine that history and send the wrong message about the value of education.”
Notes to editors:
– *The five adult community education centres to close are Ashbourne, Matlock, Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Shirebrook and Long Eaton.
– Two centres – at Alfreton and Glossop – closed earlier this year.
– The council’s own report shows the latest closures will affect 1337 learners, with 59% of users at the Shirebrook centre and 41% at the Long Eaton centre coming from the most deprived communities.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy.
