Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2018
57. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include as part of lifelong learning proposals, the development of a nationwide learner centred flexible and affordable high level competency based learning collaborative initiative within Irish higher education which would involve multiple community based stakeholders (details supplied). [4684/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has set a target of ensuring that 10% of people aged 25-64 engage in lifelong learning by 2020. Lifelong learning can comprise formal, non-formal and informal learning. The Adult Learning BA (ALBA) programme was a learner-centred, flexible and competence based programme which was accredited by Dublin City University (DCU) and offered at All Hallows College in Drumcondra. When All Hallows College closed, DCU facilitated remaining students to complete their studies and the programme ceased in 2017.
I received a copy of the research report on the ALBA programme and an official from my Department met with some members of the ALBA team in December last. The Department is considering the practices and approaches outlined in the report, along with other examples of adult learning initiatives, in order to assess the range of methodologies which may be offered to achieve our targets for adult and continuing education.
