Fee threat on evening classes

Colleges fear fees will deter people

Fees for evening classes could double next year, colleges are warning.

They say plans to switch funds to boost literacy and numeracy will mean lower subsidies for traditional leisure subjects such as art and languages.

Colleges say fees will rise in September and could more than double over two years.

They fear that will put many people off developing their interests.

John Brennan, the chief executive of the Association of Colleges said: "Calculations suggest that fees could double on some kinds of courses.

"More than three million adults are learning in the further education system. We think that maybe two million people might have to pay more."

Free courses

In its Skills Strategy, published earlier this year, the government said its funding priorities would be education for 16 to 18 year olds, adult basic skills and an entitlement to free tuition up to GCSE equivalent for adults.

In practice, this will mean that more courses in the targeted areas will become free of charge.

Literacy and numeracy courses for those lacking in basic skills will be free, as will courses which are the equivalent of vocational GCSEs to people who do not have that level of education.

Colleges say they support this principle but fear the possible knock-on effects on other courses which have lower subsidies.

Dr Brennan said: "We want the government to recognise that this is a very sensitive area, where if you are not careful, lots of people could lose out, damaging their own employment prospects and national competitiveness.

The government is due to consult on a national fees framework next month.

A spokesperson for the DfES said: "We are committed to providing significant additional resources to the Further Education sector for adult learning.

"There are no plans to cut the broad range of learning provided by colleges or exclude groups of learners, in fact, total funding for FE is set to rise to £2.5bn in 2005-06 from £1.9 bn in 2002-03."