what are the political imperatives that underpin policy for community learning and development?

Answer 1

1. "We spend on education - vote for us."
2. Filling the gap left by the loss of industry/manufacturing.
3. Governments know there are lots of people who refuse to work, or pretend they are disabled. One of New Labour's big projects was the creation, or development, of community learning, so that these people do not show up in the unemployment statistics.
As a beneficiary of further education, I can testify to its value, but it is also a political football used by policy makers in a "bread & circuses" sort of way, and often a misguided tool of left-leaning local authorities.
My father worked in many "back to work" schemes, trying to find people jobs and training, and often witnessed the "bung 'em on courses," approach. Moreover, much, by no means all, but much of this so-called learning is purely practical and serves no altruistic purpose other than creating a bland, 2.5 children society: precisely the kind of society our policy-makers need. That way, people are satisfied in believing they have somehow benefited.

The optimist in me, as an aspiring teacher of further education, also believes that somewhere there is a genuine desire to widen educational opportunities from the odd backbencher!

Answer 2

Protect the children.