Today sees the release of an important new report on adult education and lifelong learning that argues how it must once again be regarded as a national necessity, 100 years on from the original 1919 Ministry of Reconstruction* conclusions.

The findings highlight how adult education is an integral aspect of citizenship and vital to addressing the huge societal divisions that exist across the UK. The report states that adult education should not be regarded as a luxury for the few, but instead as a universal benefit for the many.

The report from the Centenary Commission [featured below] makes a series of recommendations including the need for:

• A national Adult Education & Lifelong Learning Strategy, with a participation target to reduce the gap between the most and least educationally active.
• A Minister with specific responsibility for Adult Education and Lifelong Learning to report annually to Parliament on progress.
• Community Learning Accounts, alongside Individual Learning Accounts, to provide funding for informal, community-based learning initiatives led by local groups.

There are a series of events being planned following the release of the report, the first of which will take place at the Co-operative College's Centenary Conference on 27 November. A limited number of day tickets are still available, with more information available online.

*The British Ministry of Reconstruction, Adult Education Committee (1919) Final Report is available through a variety of sources, including Google Play (including iOS)