The slashing of Adult and Community Education (ACE) funding will have a devastating impact on the ability of people to learn Sign Language in community classes, says Lynne Pillay Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues.

“The majority of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) classes are delivered through community education and are used by parents and families of deaf children, teachers, nurses, police, and workmates. They are taught by trained NZSL tutors based on a curriculum especially developed for community classes.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/26/1245b6a21a74
http://www.guide2.co.nz/politics/news/sign-language-classes-not-affected...
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/b/9/a/49HansQ_20090625_00...

Other info on this issue:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0906/S00353.htm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/2544933/Dark-times-lo...
etc... just google.

The Government announced in the 2009 Budget that ALL funding for adult education in schools (“evening classes” or “night school”) will end in December 2009. The Government regards the programmes that schools offer as mere “hobby” classes and if schools want to continue, all courses they offer will have to be “self-funded” - this will mean that the fees will increase by 50% or more at some schools and 200% or more at others, if schools decide to continue which is unlikely.

This axing of the funding will also mean that schools will no longer be able to pass on funds to local community groups who also provide classes for adults, training for volunteers and support for many of the disadvantaged in our communities. English language programmes for migrants and refugees will also disappear or will have to cost several hundred dollars more.

Night classes make such a tiny portion of the education budget (0.6%) but they are of such benefit to the community.

Refugees and migrants learn to speak English.
Parents, friends and colleagues of the Deaf learn Sign Lanuage.
New Zealanders learn foreign languages, which myself and colleagues use in business.
I learned Te Reo Maori at a night class.
Budgeting classes, something incredibly important right now, will either become far too expensive or disappear completely.

Fees at my local are currently about $80 per 16 week course - They tell me this will increase to $160 or $320 per course. I doubt they will run, as most of the students cannot afford this.

If you are concerned about the impact of these cuts, you can contact, by email or letter:

Your local MP
AnneTolley, the Minister of Education
Bill English, the Minister of Finance
Trevor Mallard or Maryann Street, Opposition Spokespeople for Education

It is FREE to write to any MP. You just have to send it to FREEPOST Parliament, PO Box 18888, Wellington.