New NIACE paper on learning and older people Friday, July 10, 2009 - 11:34

The Daily Express - on Friday 10 July 2009 - quotes NIACE's Stephen McNair in relation to his new policy paper, Older People's Learning: an action plan. The paper argues that adult education is one of the ways in which older people can remain active and engaged in society. Learning provides new interests and develops existing ones, helping people to make and maintain social contacts which keep them engaged in the wider society. It can also help older people to pass on skills and knowledge to younger people, and to learn from them. Research has shown that it has positive health benefits.

During the early years of the New Labour Government the number of people over 50 in education rose steadily, but since 2003 they have more than halved. Although a growing number are joining informal and self-organised groups, this does not make up the shortfall. For every £1 spent on the education of a 60 year old, £80 is spent on people in their early 20s.

Stephen McNair, Associate Director of NIACE and the report's author said:

"Retirement used to be a short holiday after work and before death. Now, most people can expect to spend 20 years or more of their adult lives in relatively healthy retirement. This can be a time of new challenges and opportunities, but it can also be a time of isolation and depression. Although most older people want to be active contributing members of society, and not to spend their retirement in slow decline, they are still often seen as "a burden" or simply as recipients of services."

The policy paper makes proposals for improving education for older people. It outlines recent policy developments and research on older people's learning, and describes the policy and practical challenges to be overcome.

Its proposals include:

• a new and more powerful role for Local Authorities
• more accessible education to prepare for retirement, and for the very old
• better access to "careers education" to help older people plan and manage their lives across the 20-30 years of active later life
• a more consistent offer of education available in all areas, to include education for work (paid and voluntary) and courses about finance, health, information technology and active citizenship, as well as wider interests.

The report concludes that:

"It is time that older people's learning was treated more seriously, not as something on the margins of attention, to be paid for if there is money left over. It should be recognised as something which can make a major difference to the quality of life of large numbers of people. It can make them happier and healthier, and equip them to play a stronger and more constructive part in the lives of their communities."