AGY-91 | Migrant Education Service (1951 - 1968) / Migrant Education Section (1968 - 1975) / Adult Migrant Education Service (1975 - 1985) / Adult Migrant English Service (1985- )

Full description

Shortly after the end of the Second World War the New South Wales Education Department established many classes for adult migrants supported by financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government. (1) The Adult Migrant Education Service had its origins in the Education Department's University Branch Office which was established in November 1951 in the grounds of Sydney University. It appears to have assumed the functions of the Branch Office of the Commonwealth Office of Education which played some role in the administration of adult migrant education prior to this date. (2) In 1955 the service consisted on evening classes with a minimum of six participants, held in schools. The migrants were taught "elementary English and Civics" and there were 4,300 enrolled in the program. (3) The adult migrant education function remained at the University Branch Office until about 1968 when the Migrant Education Section moved to Blackfriar's Street, Chippendale. In late 1973 the Section was relocated in the City and appears to have become a Branch of the Department. (4) In about 1975 the Branch became a separate office known as the Adult Migrant Education Service of New South Wales. (5) Its title was altered slightly to the New South Wales Adult Migrant Education Service in about 1989 (6) and in 1993 its name was changed again to the Adult Migrant English Service (7) The role of the service was described in 1977/78 as follows: " Provides free courses to migrants to give a working knowledge of the English Language and a background of Australian Institutions, service organisations and government laws and customs. The object of the courses is to assist the migrant to become integrated with the Australian community. "Provides s continuous program, not just related to newly arrived migrants, but also in helping established migrants to cope with their changing environment, employment aspirations and broadening of social contacts. "A variety of courses are provided ranging from full-time day courses to individual tuition in private homes. "Courses are conducted in various centres throughout the Sydney metropolitan area, in Wollongong, Newcastle and some other country centres." (8) By 1987 the service had expanded to include conducting training courses in social awareness for NSW government agencies with a large migrant workforce and/or clientele, (9) and by 1991 special courses were conducted for migrants with overseas qualifications but no Australian experience. (10) FOOTNOTES (1) Archives Authority of NSW Concise Guide A - Cl p.10 (2) Ibid (3) Official Yearbook of NSW, 1957 p. 726 (the data in this yearbook relates to the year 1955) (4) Ibid. (5) NSW Government Directory, 1977/78 p. 105. (6) NSW Government Directory, 1989, first edition p. 130 (7) NSW Government Directory, 1994, first edition p. 217 -8 (8) NSW Government Directory, 1977/78 Op. Cit p. 105-106 (9) NSW Government Directory 1987 p, 113 (10) NSW Government Directory 1991 p. 190. REFERENCES (1) Public Service Lists, 1951 - 1960. (2) "Concise Guide", 2nd Edition. "A - Cl ", "Adult Migrant Education Service" p.10. (3) Official Yearbook, 1951, 1968, 1976.