Passports to extra knowledge on offer

The adult education project, called the Passport to Learning, has been created by the Darlington Learning Town Group.

Just like an ordinary passport, it is stamped every time it is used, but in the case of the Passport to Learning, it gets stamped each time the individual has a learning experience.

Visits to the Civic Theatre, the Railway Museum, the Arts Centre or other cultural or educational venues will be counted as learning experiences.

Having received a grant from the European Social Fund, the Darlington Learning Town Group is looking to reward those who make the best use of this opportunity to return to education.

There will be quarterly prize draw, and anyone who has had their passport stamped in that quarter can give their passport in to the Learning Town Group to be entered into the draw.

The Darlington Learning Town Group, led by Darlington Borough Council's lifelong learning co-ordinator, Ruth Bernstein, is part of a nationwide project to encourage adults to seek learning experiences.

The initiative runs until December 2001, with the possibility of continuing into 2002.

All of the town's main education providers are members of the group, including Darlington College of Technology, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council.

Local businesses, including Darlington Building Society and the Morrison's store chain, are also involved.

Ms Bernstein said: "The Passport to Learning initiative is an exciting opportunity for the people of Darlington to get back into learning within their local community or at work.

"We hope that most people will take this chance to improve their education, either for pleasure, for work or just as a hobby."

The project launch, on March 2, will be the first chance for people in Darlington to collect their learning passports.

Anyone interested in providing an activity or running a stand at the event can contact Ms Bernstein at Darlington Town Hall, on (01325) 388864