The national adult literacy service is provided by the vocational education committees with funding from my Department. The VEC service is separate from the National Adult Literacy Agency, NALA, which is a voluntary organisation, concerned with national co-ordination, training and policy development in adult literacy work, rather than with direct provision of literacy tuition.
Some literacy tutors in the VEC service are professional but about 80% are volunteers. A quarter of the 28,000 learners are working with the volunteer tutors on a one to one basis. As the number of voluntary tutors is about 4,200, the cost of payment for their services would be considerable.
The Government recognises the unique and valuable contribution of volunteers in the development of the adult literacy service. It is concerned that this contribution be retained in the future and that it be validated and acknowledged. The White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, published in 2000, envisages that volunteers should be provided with the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge, attitude and skills and to gain certification through flexible procedures.