Family learning helps us all - Empey
The Department for Employment and Learning has today shown its support for National Family Learning Week.
The Week, which runs from 6 – 14 October, aims to raise awareness of the importance of family learning. It is an excellent opportunity to remind people who want to brush up on their reading and writing skills that there is help available for them.
Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, launched this year’s Family Learning Week and highlighted the importance that families can have in encouraging each other’s learning.
Speaking about the campaign and the benefits it can bring to both children and parents, Sir Reg said: “Many adults in our society are not confident with reading, writing and maths and this can have a severe impact on their quality of life, that of their families and, ultimately, on our economy as a whole. Family Learning Week enables us to highlight the importance of families and their role in supporting each other’s learning.
“Improving the literacy and numeracy skills of adults is an integral part of the campaign and through our free Essential Skills courses we can help adults engage in learning. Not only will this help them support their children’s education but it will bring many benefits to the entire family.
“I would encourage anyone who lacks confidence in their levels of literacy and numeracy to take the time during Family Learning Week to speak to an Essential Skills adviser and discuss how they can enrol on a course.”
Denise Johnston, from Newtownards, is one such person who wanted to improve her reading and writing skills so that she could help her children with their homework. Denise signed up for an Essential Skills English course at South Eastern Regional College. Since doing this she has embarked on an educational pathway that has taken her to Queen’s University and beyond.
Commenting on her experience as an adult learner, Denise said:
“I always had problems with reading and writing and my primary school teachers thought I might have had learning difficulties. I left school with no confidence and I use to dread helping my children with their homework.
“It wasn’t until I got a cleaning job in the Newtownards campus of the South Eastern Regional College that I thought it was time I brushed up on my reading and writing so that I could conquer my gremlins.
“I enrolled on the Essential Skills courses in reading and writing and found I really enjoyed the learning experience. Having been bitten by the learning bug I have gone on to complete GCSEs, an access course in foundation studies and a degree in Modern History and Social Policy. I am glad that I decided to sign up to the Essential Skills courses as it has changed my life for the better.”
The Department for Employment and Learning’s Essential Skills programme has so far helped over 35,000 adults to improve their reading, writing and maths skills. Further information on the FREE Essential Skills courses throughout Northern Ireland can be obtained by contacting (Freephone) 0800 660 800 or text ‘Press’ to 60900.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Essential Skills campaign began in October 2002.
2. The ‘Gremlins’ commercials feature a range of situations where people’s personal literacy and numeracy ‘gremlins’ make life difficult for them or prevent them from doing what they want.
3. Information regarding adult literacy and numeracy courses can be obtained by calling the Essential Skills free phone number 0800 660800 to speak to an adviser seven days a week from 8am – 10pm.
4. Key Facts about Essential Skills courses:
- Classes are FREE
- Classes are informal and not like school
- Some classes have free crèche facilities
- Classes are held at different times of the day
- You can learn at your own pace
- You can learn in a small group
- You can learn at a college, a local community centre, in work or online
- You can learn using a computer
- You can gain a qualification which employers recognise
- You are never too old to learn!
5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
6. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.