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Isle of Man College 'night class' fees to double
FEES for adult recreation classes at Isle of Man College are to double - the latest victim of the Isle of Man Government spending squeeze.
College principal Dr Ian Killip said the fee increases — to affect sessions under the adult community education (ACE) scheme — will come as a shock to many.
And he confirmed the cuts he will have to make had led to his recent decision to announce his retirement.
>> Retiring college chief calls on government to keep investing
10 March 2010
The Manx government had paid 50 per cent of the cost of leisure and recreation evening classes.
Now this subsidy is to be withdrawn and students will pay the full cost, with basic tuition fees rising from 2.38 an hour to 4.66 an hour.
This move will affect some 2,000 students a year who enroll on popular classes such as pottery, line dancing, yoga and reiki.
Pensioners will continue to get a 50 per cent reduction on course fees.
Vocational subjects, too, will be affected, with fees going up by inflation.
Most of the full-time students on degrees courses or studying for higher national certificates and NVQs don't pay fees, with costs paid by the Department of Education.
But the fee increase will affect those in work who are on courses to help their careers. In many cases their employer pays.
Dr Killip said: 'We had to protect vocational courses at all costs. Evening classes are a lower order of priority. We were left with the decision to either close those courses or increase the fees to cover their costs.'
Asked whether this had led to his decision to retire at the end of August, he said: 'Of course it has.
'I've spent 10 years building the college up, four years involved as principal providing services for the Manx people, developing the skills and knowledge to help the Manx economy.
'Then because of this VAT problem I'm going to have to dismantle that. It's not something I want to do.
'I don't blame the Manx government or the Department of Education.
'It is the difficult situation the Isle of Man is facing and the college has to play its part. I hope the public will understand.'
He expects there to be a drop in the number of people enrolling on courses as a result of the fee increases.
And he warned that some courses may still have to close if not enough students enroll and there was a risk, too, that tutors would not be employed.
Education Minister Anne Craine said: 'Isle of Man College is a valuable resource but as with all things in education it doesn't come cheap.
'It has been necessary to review and revise the course fees for the forthcoming year. There will be an increase that will have to be borne by those on the course.
'We don't underestimate the value of adult education. It's not been an easy decision to take but one we feel is necessary at this time.'
She said that compared with colleges in the UK, the fee structure had been on the 'low side' for some time.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said: 'Fees at the Isle of Man College will increase from September 2010.
'This is in response to the cuts taking place across government due to the reduction in revenue, which has affected expenditure in all areas including education.
'For students returning to college to resume courses they have already started, fees have been increased by the rate of inflation.
'Students starting courses post August 31 will experience higher increases. The increases will be variable depending on the nature of the course.
'The college, when confronted with a reduced budget, could have chosen to close courses and reduce educational provision.
'However, after considerable discussion, it was felt that an increase in some fees was a better alternative than reducing educational choices.
'It should be noted, however, that this still leaves fees at lower rates than at other UK colleges including those at Highlands College in Jersey.
'It should also be stressed that those aged 18 and under do not pay fees and that those aged 60 and over only pay 50 per cent of fees on the majority of courses.'
Isle of Man College will publish its fees table for 2010-11 in May.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS
Fair enough; double the costs for Adults. But can the night-school teachers please get a backbone and tell the 'freeloading' 17 year olds to actually shut up, concentrate and stop taking phone calls. Or maybe; separate those paying adults who want to learn from the kids who have no interest in learning anything and are only there to get their parents off their backs.
STEVE
Ummmm, that's a good start to this blog Steve, a caring, sharing parent are we..??
JOE
I do not see why the Government were paying 50% of tuition fees for classes such as line dancing and pottery in the 1st place, it hardly holds a future financial benefit to the economy that someone can now line dance or make second rate pottery as a result of a Government subsidised class. Maybe the college should look at offering future part time class members an interest free payment plan so those who wish to take a class or course and cannot afford to pay a (higher) lump fee upfront can absorb the cost over a number of months, might help increase any dwindling numbers.
CHRIS
Its unfortunate to increase the fees but I have to point out that 4.66 is still not bad value for money, its certainly less than the minimum wage. I know two people who go to the college in the evenings and they both say similar things to steve with regards to some of the '17 year olds' and how the more 'mature' students get frustrated by their antics and behavoir. The figures are still less than the mainland tho.
TTTASH
I am sorry OMB but in these difficult financial times I draw the line on the taxpayer subsidising someone who wants to learn line-dancing or pottery or practice yoga.
GEOFF, Douglas
Evening classes strengthen the cultural aspects of living in the IOM. We cannot jump in the car, zoom down the motorway and be watching "Cats" on Broadway in a few hours. There must be cultural alternatives.These losses of classes will prevent may people from developing cultural skills which add to the heritage of the IOM, eg music classes puts musicians into pubs, which can be enjoyed by all. How many paint artists started in college, or developed an interest in photography that became a profession ?
PK.
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