Greenwich Community College to hold musical protest against government cuts to English classes

The demonstration, which is being organised by members of the University and College Union (UCU), will begin at 12.15pm at the main entrance to the college's Plumstead campus. Protestors will play musical instruments and march around the college until 1pm.
 
Over 40 jobs and 50 courses are at risk at the college as a result of government cuts to courses for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). In what is a double whammy for students, those ESOL classes which survive the cutbacks will double in price from £400 to £800.
 
The union said the reduction in ESOL funding made a mockery of David Cameron's calls for immigrants to learn English.
 
Over 1,100 students take ESOL classes at the college and the union warned that the cuts would have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. Three-quarters of ESOL learners at Greenwich are women from deprived backgrounds.
 
Jennifer Turner, who teaches ESOL at the college, said: 'The aftershocks of these cuts will be felt in the local area for years to come. David Cameron can talk all he likes about the need for immigrants to learn English, but slashing the budget for ESOL classes will stop people from getting the skills they need to integrate into society and to find lasting employment.
 
'Members here at Greenwich are not willing to sit quietly while experienced tutors and support staff lose their jobs and poorer students are asked to pay more.'