ESOL Lecturer and UCU member Sue Stewart speaking at the Newcastle Rally
Ruth Crowther from Newcastle College Students' Union shows her support
Staff, students and the public stand up for ESOL courses
Staff, students and supporters made their feelings known to the government on the streets of Newcastle on Saturday 3rd March. The march and rally had been organised with the support of TCAR (Tyneside Community Action for Refugees) - a network of groups and individuals who have united to raise awareness of the situation of people seeking asylum.
Over 200 people were there and speakers included staff, students and representatives of UCU, Barney McGill of the Northern TUC, and speakers from TCAR.
The event attracted both the attention of the Newcastle public and the media:
The march and rally sought to draw public attention to propsed changes in ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) provision which the government are seeking to restrict from September 2007.
UCU believes that the existing entitlements should remain unchanged. Take-up of ESOL has risen in recent years and in many cases demand exceeds supply. The changes to ESOL funding mean that for many people with ESOL needs, the cost of paying for courses will shift from the to individuals, unless employers make a contribution. The government thinks employers and migrant worker agencies should pay but there is no mechanism in place to ensure they do.
The campiagn to SAVE ESOL continues and more details can be found at:
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