Why increase barriers to education?

First came the B.C. government’s cuts to English as a second language. Now, the government is going after adult basic education (ABE).

Starting April 1, it will cost $1,600 a semester for a fulltime ABE student. Currently it is tuition free. For most students, this will be an insurmountable barrier. We are talking about reading, writing and math for adults up to grade 12 equivalency that most of us learned through free public education. Going to school as an adult for the first time or as a returning student takes courage and commitment; that should be encouraged and celebrated, not squashed. The government needs to rethink this short-sighted and callous cut and restore tuition-free ABE.

INGRID KOLSTEREN Vancouver