I RECENTLY wrote to you about Adult Education problems in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley. I had also written to Ms Murdin, Principal of Wigan and Leigh College.

In her reply to me and in a statement she made to the Press on the subject, she implied that all the problems had been or were being sorted out, and that she and the college were very committed to Adult Education.

Unfortunately the facts contradict her statement. I had complained about lack of facilities for firing our china during classes in the week commencing October 27. We were told that the kiln was ready and we could leave items to be fired. When we came to our classes the following week, expecting to find our china fired and ready for the next stage, we were met with the news that our classes were being suspended until some better arrangements could be made. And our china had not been fired as someone had turned off the power during the process.

Students can claim a refund of fees for the period of suspension, but our tutor will not be paid during this time, although the suspension was in no way her fault.

Some classes advertised in September have not even started because the tutors will not accept a reduction in pay - and why would they? So, no tutors, no classes - another way of closing them down.

Other classes were re-located in difficult-to-reach sites, that is if you had to rely on public transport, eg. Fred Longworth School and Marshall Street. So when people cannot get to their class they stop going, numbers fall and classes close, as the Principal says "there is not the demand."

This does not imply a commitment to Adult Education in the eyes of my fellow students and myself.

Perhaps there is a secret agenda to close down all Adult Education classes. If not, perhaps Ms Murdin would clarify the matter, and this time make sure that her words and the true facts are the same, and that she keeps her word to the people of Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley.

Concerned student of Tyldesley

(Address supplied)

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