§ 1990 Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged 65 years or over were engaged in full or part-time education in(a)332W and (b) the latest year for which information is available; and what percentage each represents of the relevant age group. [28127]
§ Mrs. Gillan[holding answer 7 May 1996]: The figures are given in the tables.
Students aged 65 and over, 1990–91 and 1994–95, England 1990–91 1994–95 Higher education 8,127 11,782 Open University n/a 2,441 Further education 165,000 122,000
Participation rate: percentage of population aged 65 and over 1990–91 1994–95 Higher education 0.1 0.2 Open University n/a 0.0 Further education 2.2 1.6 Total 2.3 1.8 A considerable number of people aged 65 and over attend adult education centres; no estimate is available. The decrease in numbers in further education since 1990–91 is due mainly to fewer students taking non-examinable courses; the number enrolled for examinable courses has increased sharply.
n/a not available.