Ireland’s first ever Tertiary Education Strategy has been published. The strategy covers all types of education after secondary school and aims to bring them together into a more connected system.

Adult literacy is an important part of the tertiary education system, and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is glad to see it covered in detail in the strategy. We particularly welcome commitments to:

• implement and refresh the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) strategy
• publish a Statement of Ambition for basic digital skills
• bring forward a new adult literacy strategy in 2030

The Statement of Ambition for basic digital skills is an opportunity to adopt the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp) as the national standard, which we and now the National Skills Council have recommended.

The Tertiary Education Strategy recognises that levels of literacy and numeracy needs in Ireland have not improved since the 1990s, and that “addressing these gaps through a strong focus on lifelong learning is essential” (p51).

The strategy also says that

• a national survey on adult literacy and numeracy will be considered
• the report of the Expert Group on Literacy Provision will be submitted this year
• the governance of the ALL strategy will be restructured.

We support all of these actions and we have called for them in our submission to the mid-term review of the ALL strategy.

We also welcome many of the strategy’s commitments that will apply across the whole tertiary sector. For example:

• better access for learners from under-represented groups
• better financial and disability supports for learners
• better data to inform the future development of the sector

However, we have concerns about some parts of the strategy. In particular:

1. How funding will be allocated
The strategy commits to make sure that funding goes to areas with the “greatest strategic value” and “measurable outcomes and impact” (p43). These are important considerations, but not all outcomes and impact are measurable, and the value of learning goes beyond economic strategy. Adult literacy learning can take time and its impact can be hard to measure in numbers, but it is life-changing. More qualitative impacts need to be considered and included to capture the true value of education.

2. How community education is viewed
The strategy says there will be a review of community education provision which will consider the role of “personal interest courses” (p56). Community education is an essential part of Ireland’s adult literacy provision, as set out in the Community Education Framework and the ALL strategy, and must be appropriately resourced and supported. Stigma is the biggest barrier stopping adults with literacy needs going back to education (ALL strategy p29), and community education is the first step for many as it can be less intimidating than formal institutions or curriculum-based learning. Community education courses often integrate literacy so a learner can be working on their literacy skills through another subject they have a personal interest in. AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation of Ireland highlight in their own response to the Tertiary Education Strategy how community education can provide learners with “a passion for learning and the confidence to take on new opportunities”.

The Tertiary Education Strategy has many strengths. If it is going to succeed, the value of all aspects of our tertiary education system must be recognised and sufficient investment needs to be provided.

Read more:

Tertiary Education Strategy 2026-2031

Response to the Tertiary Education Strategy from AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation of Ireland

Community Education Framework

National Skills Council Strategic Advice 2026

Adult Literacy for Life strategy

NALA submission to the mid-term review of the ALL strategy