WHY PRIORITIES IN ADULT EDUCATION MUST CHANGE

by Susan Witter

If one were to paint an overview of current adult education trends in Canada, the major focus would be on job-training programs within the Canadian Jobs Strategy; the multitude of job-related upgrading programs, a proliferation of private training attempting "job opportunity" training and a growing emphasis on employer- based training: all courses and programs aimed at helping adults get a job, get a better job or become more successful at a job. Job training has dominated the adult education scene in Canada to the detriment of the other adult education activities needed by a growing number of adults to function as responsible citizens out-side the work place.

Gilda Mekler

Federal and provincial government training cannot continue to focus on training for jobs that are simply not there. Unemployment and underemployment are creating new learning needs that relate to the psycho-social well-being, mental health, personal enrichment, leisure learning and holistic health of an increasing number of adults. Adult education that continues to be obsessed with learning to earn a living will leave Canadian adults educated in splinters instead of as whole people. With the changing nature and availability of work, there is no question that priorities need to shift to emphasize those learning activities that enhance an adult's physical, social and emotional well- being. We can no longer allow policy makers to view and treat adult education that does not relate to job training as a frill or an activity only available to those who can pay the full cost. With the economic and social changes brought about by the diminishing availability of employment, learning opportunities that enhance psycho-social well-being must be considered crucial when redefining adult education priorities in Canada.

Susan Witter is Associate Dean of Continuing and Development Education at Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, B.C.

COMING IN THE SUMMER ISSUE

Articles for WEDF, Vol. 5, No.4 (Summer 1987)

Theme: Making education accessible and culturally relevant to northern women.

"Theatre for Education" by Ellen Hamilton. Creative theatre process as a tool to meet the needs of young people requiring academic upgrading.

"From the Straight Shore to the Labrador: Women's Studies as a Distance Education Course" by Joanne C.J. Prindiville and Cathryn Boak. Using a long distance course in Women's Studies for reaching and empowering isolated women.

Interview of Lillian Nakamura Maguire of Yukon College by Janet Patterson on learning in the North.