Offaly education and training service strive to combat regional education inequalities

“Education is a route to empowerment and gives learners a sense of hope for the future.” That’s according to Acorn Midlands Education and Training Service, Edenderry, which showcased the impact of their project, which provides community-based educational support to people of all ages, backgrounds and ability, at the AONTAS Adult Education Summit in the Aviva Stadium earlier this month.

AONTAS launched their 2023 ‘Learners’ Voices Across Ireland’ Report at the annual Summit, a research report based on feedback of Further Education and Training (FET) learners from Offaly and across Ireland. The report highlights overwhelmingly positive experiences of FET, however it also reveals regional disparities in learning experiences due to inequalities in public transport, facilities, and inclusion and mental health supports.

Speaking at the event, CEO of AONTAS Dearbháil Lawless said: “There are two principal narratives emerging from this year’s report, that education has a hugely transformative impact on learners’ lives, particularly those returning to education later in life, and that issues around local infrastructure and facilities are creating inequalities and barriers for learners across the country to access, or take full advantage of those transformative experiences.

“For many people in Offaly and across Ireland, particularly those from under-resourced communities and groups that face the greatest challenges in accessing quality education, crossing the threshold of a college or training centre is a huge step, and for many even getting to the front door is proving to be the biggest barrier. Groups like The Acorn Project, provide an invaluable service, enabling them to access education and training opportunities that otherwise would be out of their reach.”

The 2023 Learners’ Voices Across Ireland Report is available here