Citizens’ curriculum call for adult learners


Recent government data show a significant fall in adults participating in English and Maths courses. 


The Department for Education’s Further Education and Skills statistics show there has been a fall of over 100,000 adults participating in the last year alone, which is the lowest participation in almost a decade.


In England, over nine million adults need support to improve low literacy and/or numeracy skills. 


To tackle this shortfall, the Learning and Work Institute is urging the government to adopt a new Citizens’ Skills Entitlement and to deliver these skills, Learning and Work is calling for a Citizens’ Curriculum. 


Under its Citizens’ Skill Entitlement, Learning and Work has proposed that by 2030 all adults should have access to the literacy, numeracy, digital, health and financial capability skills they need. 


Its Citizens’ Curriculum model recognises that literacy and numeracy skills are linked to wider capabilities, for example in digital, health and personal finance. By tapping into what motivated adults to learn, it is hoped to engage more people in English and maths learning.


www.learningandwork.org.uk/sites/niace_en/files/document-downloads/Skills%20%20Poverty%20Sep%2016_0.pdf