MIKE HEDGES EXTOLS THE VIRTUE OF EDUCATION DURING SENEDD DEBATE

MIKE HEDGES EXTOLS THE VIRTUE OF EDUCATION DURING SENEDD DEBATE

Speaking from the Senedd after the ‘Knowledge is Power’ Education as a Route out of Poverty debate, local Swansea East MS, Mike Hedges said … ‘ education is one of the most important ways of combating poverty which has blighted the lives of people in my constituency for decades. Access to education, both formal Higher Education and vocational courses has never been easier and I would urge everyone to take whatever opportunities come their way. It is never too late to learn new skills and to improve your chances in the jobs market.

Education can change your life for the better – it did for me and it can for you; don’t turn down chances to learn’

Mike Hedges MS –

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for your generosity. I would also like to thank John Griffiths for giving me a minute in this debate. There are traditionally two legal routes out of poverty. One is via sporting prowess and the other is via education, but education is not a level playing field, and it has become less so with the development of technology. I had access to every book that my wealthier contemporaries had, although it was via the library. Today, I would be limited to two hours of a computer in a public library, and have to pay to print my work. I spent 25 rewarding years teaching in further education, and I believe I helped to change the lives of very many.

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Education offers an opportunity to young people, but also, via the further education sector and the Open University, there’s an opportunity to gain qualifications throughout life. Taking these opportunities has transformed the lives and earning capacity of many people, moving them out of low-wage employment into higher wage sectors. I would urge everyone to take their educational opportunities, because unless you are a highly gifted sportsperson, this is your one big chance. I, like John Griffiths, can say it worked for me.