Christchurch’s insatiable appetite for education

Press, 4 March 1980, Page 17

Christchurch’s insatiable appetite for education

Bv

VICKI FUREY

year the newsf?Per.. advertisements for educational and recreation-al-courses take up more and more space. frhm St tr , about anything irpm Hebrew to floral art and italic script handwriting can be picked up at various centres around the town this year.

As automation increases unemployment rises . and the shorter working week becomes more frequent, people are becoming more conscious of leisure time and how to use it well.

In recent years three local authorities in the Christchurch area — Christchurch City Council, Waimairi County Council and Paparua County Council — have appointed recreational officers. Riccarton Borough Council is about to follow suit.

For. the last three years the City Council has been running recreation programmes at Queen Elizabeth II Park and at Cowles Stadium. Programmes at Pioneer Stadium, in Spreydon, were in full swing at the beginning of 1979 and the Aranui Activity' Centre’s recreation programmes have been running about 18 months.

. Fitness and sporting activities dominate the City Council’s programmes, probably because of the nature of the facilities. However, the council, will also tell you about the valuable substances, in silver beet, at a vegetarian cooking class; show women how to do those minor repairs and keep those bills down in a home electrical and repair course; and “how to go about getting redress on faulty items or a poorly written contract” in a consumer advice course. Danae Goosman. a recreation officer with the City Council, estimates that 2500 people a week attend the council’s pro--grammes. The response had been “good,” to say the least

■ At Q.E. II and Pioneer there is “almost a core of regulars,” says Miss Goosman. “Many, I’m not saying all, of the women come to form some social contact during the day and also to learn some new skill. The friendships that have developed be-

tween people have been incredible.” It is no longer cheap to take part ' in sport, says Miss Goosman. Statistics show a swing away from competitive sport. The casual type of programme where people can “train up in anything and enjoy themselves at the same time,” is becoming increasingly popular. Miss Goosman believes that leisure is one of the most important aspects of modern day life, and one that we are least prepared for. From small' beginnings in 1972, when a butchery tutor began a meat preparation course for women.

the art and community studies department at Christchurch Polytechnic has developed to encompass a wide range of community education courses. Many of the courses are started at the request of community and specialist groups — communication skills for dietitians, art and craft for dental

nurses, and' classes for social workers, to name but a few. , At this time' of year the department handles up to 100 inquiries a week. The polytechnic can meet, only a fraction of-, the demand,

says the department head, Marjorie Manthei. “But because we are a non-pro-fit-making body we don’t have to worry about giving customers away.” One of the main philosophies behind community education is that the demands of groups in the community must be re-

sponded to quickly, says a tutor, Ann-Hilda Day. That is something which the polytechnic cannot always do, restricted as it is by the need to get approval from the Education Department in Wellington. People are referred on to other agencies and organisations.

The polytechnic has almost become a guidance agency, without meaning to, says Ms Day. It is very common for people to ring up and say: “I’m thinking of getting a job” or “I’m thinking about

doing a course, but, of course I’m too old . ..” Parallel to the growth of community classes is the development of “new outlook” courses for women at the polytechnic. It started as a pre-employ-ment course, but at the end the women did not go out for job - they stayed

and took other classes. “Not that' we are generating professional, course takers,” savs Ms Manthei. People find that they enjoy learning, says Ms Day. They have lots to offer — energy and concern that can be channelled back into the community. For vzpmen who have been fulltime in the

home for 10 or 15 years the- polytechnic courses help to bridge the gap. Many of the women who attend .the new outlook courses find that they are interested in something 'they have never thought about before — family law, trade unions — things they have never bothered to read about in newspapers. As one woman said: “The polytechnic gave me new glasses.’’ New classes in the “new outlook” programme this year are “get-ting involved,” a close look at practical methods for getting involved in decision-making bodies;

“economics — science or mythology” (“we’ve been, pestered by women for many years for a course in economics”) and “taking charge,” a response to requests from people who have to run discussion groups, and plan workshops or seminars. Ann-Hilda Day and Majorie Manthei do not

really regard themselve as -teachers; rather thej are helping people to fine out how to learn, to train themselves to listen and to pick out what is important. High schools and primary schools have also taken up the challenge of community education. With a role of about '3500 in the evening classes alone, Hagley High School is probably one of the biggest educational providers in the city. But it is nrobably better known for its day classes for adults. Since 1974 when a driver wanted to do bursary so that he could study medicine, Hagley has been accepting adults into 'lasses alongside its fifth, sixth and seventh form pupils. This development has not only helpe" 1 the adults. * It’s encouraging for the adolescents to see people willing to learn,” says John Latham, the community school co-ordina-tor. Most of the adults have realised that educationalqualifications are one of the few ways up in -this world. Yet Hagley does have a number of adult day students over 65, “learning for the sake of learning.” John Latham feels that there should be more of the “how to live in your community” type of courses creeping into education programmes. Cooking and sewing features a little too prominently, although that is not to say that hobbies are a bad thing; on the contrary -they have saved many from loneliness and boredom, he says. Community education should be growing, says Mr Latham. “Education should be about those wanting to learn, and those wanting to teach, getting together — rather than restricting it to poor kids who just don’t want to be at school, or to learn.” No doubt there’ll be more , community education courses offering next year. Take up the challenge, you may even find a new pair of glasses yourself. And as my father says — education is not a burden to carry around.