Closure of learndirect Centre Raises Questions
In the wake of the news of the previous week, when the decision was announced to close the Learndirect Centre operating through the Bracknell and Wokingham College and thus reducing still further the provision of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in the area, the local MP the Right Hon. John Redwood has become involved in the debate.
This closure follows that of Montagu House, another centre that had provided Adult Learning facilities until it was shut down in 2004. At the time, there was a fear on the part of students that courses would be moved out of the area. It appears that these fears will now come to pass, as the Bracknell and Wokingham College was the last local provider of these services. With the planned closure of the Bracknell Centre this July, the nearest service for the students currently relying on Bracknell and Wokingham College will be in Reading.
In response to our enquiry, the local MP for Wokingham, the Right Hon John Redwood MP has stated that he has begun to look into the matter and hopes to achieve results in the near future: “I am in contact with those responsible for the planned closure, but they have not yet answered all my queries and points. Existing users are very unhappy about the proposals and I am putting their case to the authorities.” It remains to be seen whether the intervention of the local MP will be enough to safeguard services in the area.
Jethro Marsh
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