The Open University Response to Draft Programme for Government
6th Nov 2024
The Open University has published a response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government 2024-2027, “Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most”.
The response is available to view and download here.
John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland said:
“The Open University is uniquely placed to impactfully address the challenges identified in the draft Programme for Government. For over 50 years, we have pioneered supported distance learning providing high-quality education that reaches students in every county in Northern Ireland, helping to remove education and employment barriers.
“The Executive’s willingness to take views on their proposed plan is welcome. The Open University has made a series of recommendations to strengthen the Executive’s plans to increase our prosperity and protect our planet in a fair way and to the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.
“Crucially, in order to bring meaningful change which improves the lives of everyone, the Executive’s plans must stretch further to recognise the inherent value of lifelong learning and invest in improving accessibility to flexible and part-time higher education.”
The Open University’s key recommendations to the Executive are below.
1. Invest in a Sustainable Higher Education and Lifelong Learning model:
a. Provide maintenance support for part-time students: and
b. Invest in flexible student finance options for modular study and for individuals seeking qualifications in strategic growth areas that support the PfG’s objectives.
2. Recognise the inherent value of Lifelong Learning:
a. Include a right to training leave in any employment law framework updates for “good jobs”; and
b. Legislate for a statutory right to lifelong learning via a standalone Lifelong Learning Bill.
3. Extend Childcare Grants, the Parental Learning Allowance and Special Support Grants to part-time students.
4. Expand the Executive’s Delivery Plan to End Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) to include specific and concrete actions to prevent and combat Online VAWG in recognition of the scale of online violence facilitated by technology, in particular the technology used in online and digital environments.
5. In addition to transforming the education system for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), partner with the Higher Education sector to ensure resources are secured for adult learners with SEN.
6. In the Cross-Departmental Strategy to Reduce Offending and Re-Offending, recognise the role of Lifelong Learning in the rehabilitation of learners in prisons and secure environments, and support better access to education for people leaving prison.
7. Increase the Executive’s partnership and collaboration with the Higher Education sector, employers and trade unions when building skills for strategic growth areas, including the delivery of housing, health and social care, and the green economy.
8. In the spirit of partnership, the Executive must include the Higher Education sector in the Reform and Transformation Unit, and the Public Sector Transformation Board.
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