Debate is good and to be encouraged. However talk is cheap, words are ten-a-penny without action. Words, after speech should reach into time future, not into the silence – to borrow from and hack about with T S Eliot – they should be a starting point for action. This is hardly a new topic – the existence of the WEA bears witness to this truth. Let’s see where this goes, the proof of the pudding…
Adult literacy and numeracy had a much-needed moment in the Parliamentary spotlight last Thursday with a detailed debate. You can find background information and links to a video and transcript of the full discussion at:
Literacy and numeracy were also centre stage at the WEA’s biennial Conference, featuring in several sessions and in the presentation of the Olive Cordell Awards. Olive was a WEA community studies tutor who left a financial as well as an educational legacy to fund these awards, which her daughter Jane presented for the fifth year.
Jane handed Marie Leadbitter the Tutor of the Year Award for achievements in teaching Numeracy & Literacy and Sam Gowler the Learner of the Year Award for his progress in English and Maths. Sam’s story adds a very human dimension to the Parliamentary debate and Marie’s work shows how good teaching can help to solve the problems at the heart of the MPs’ discussion.
Sam decided to join two WEA courses…
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