Learning is lifelong

Adult learning can take place in a farm paddock, a church hall, marae or neighbourhood kitchen.
ACE Taranaki in Stratford together with ACE Taranaki will host the national launch of Adult Learners' Week at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth from September 3-9.
ACE co-ordinator Christina Melville said the September celebrations were organised in conjunction with the Taranaki Ace Network, which also included groups like Senior Net, ESOL and Taranaki Aoetearoa Literacy Service.
A highlight of the week will be the presentation of awards: River-McCombs Award, Outstanding Adult Learner, Exceptional Adult Educator, and Innovative Provider, and the forms are available from Taranaki ACE networks in the province.
ACE Taranaki stepped up to the plate in February to run community education in the province when schools pulled out of ACE.
Christina said numerous learners from throughout the province took advantage of the eight-week, two-hour-a-week courses and weekend workshops.
ACE Taranaki employed an ACE liaison person for two hours a week to open and close the venues where courses were held.
"We give discounts to couples to attract male participants. We're also flexible and will go out of our way to help. And if we don't have a course, we will endeavour to find a tutor to deliver it," said Christina.
Funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, ACE Taranaki is accountable to Stratford High School, the only school that remained after 11 pulled out from adult education in the community.
The Stratford organisation offer courses at New Plymouth, Oakura, Okato, Opunake, Patea, Stratford and Waverley, for those 16 years (who have left school) and over The Adult Learners' Week launch marks 10 years of Adult Learner's Week/He Tangata Matauranga.
This year's theme - Learning in our Place/Te Akoranga a Tatou, emphasises the uniqueness of community-based adult community education programmes (ACE) which are tailored to the specific needs of the community.