THE entire full-time teaching staff at Lancaster's flagship Adult College could face the chop in the latest wave of cost cutting measures. Negotiations among college governors this week recommended that three teaching posts and two part-time management jobs are made redundant as part of an efficiency drive of £83,000. Union leaders say the job losses have sent shockwaves among the 150 part-time college staff and they claim teachers are being forced to bear the brunt of the savings.

Julian Holt, chairman of the local branch of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE), said: "I think the news is shocking and I don't mean to exaggerate, it is an attack on teachers.

"The loss of these jobs removes experienced teachers from college and it inevitably effects the overall range of courses at the college. I think the only people who could possibly alter or avert the proposals are the students."

Student, Gill Marshall, who is a member of the Adult College Association Action Committee, blamed the Government which has slashed funding to the college through the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC). But she also claimed students' fears were not being taken seriously enough by college bosses.

She told the Citizen: "The Adult College has a fine tradition and is a vital part of Lancaster's community. If courses are reduced and favourite tutors leave, people will get cheesed off. The college allows many people who are lonely or depressed to make friends and gives them an opportunity to fulfil themselves and develop new skills. Reducing college courses is a false economy, because ultimately students will find themselves on the dole." Gill said they will be lobbying meetings at County Hall, which are expected to rubber stamp the governors' proposals. They are also holding talks with Lancaster's MP Hilton Dawson to help resolve the situation. "We will just keep plugging away," she added.

According to a statement released by college principal Peter Garrod this week, other cost cutting measures include increasing income from the college's catering and nursery facilities, reducing administrative costs, making energy savings and re-evaluating a technician and handyman post.

Mr Garrod added: "Governors do not enjoy making decisions which could result in redundancies, and took their decision after long deliberation. We have now entered into a period of consultation with staff and their representatives and will listen carefully to any alternative proposals."

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