[ OUR OPINION ]
LINE-DANCING and karaoke can't be categorized as necessary elements in adult education, but the Community Schools program offers classes that are essential for many who seek to improve lives and broaden their knowledge. Adult education offers more
than song ’n’ dance class
THE ISSUE Governor Lingle proposes to cut funds for the Community Schools program by half to help balance the budget.
If Governor Lingle's plan to cut in half the funds for adult education jeopardizes federal matching funds, as school officials contend, she should adjust her reductions accordingly. Moreover, if the cuts -- which the governor says are needed to balance the budget -- hamper the Department of Education's ability to deliver classes in basic skills, she may want to reconsider until she and state lawmakers can review a state auditor's recommendation that the program be transferred to the community college system.
Adult education was established more than 50 years ago to offer learning to under-educated adults, non-English-speaking immigrants and those seeking high school diplomas later in life. The program provides civics classes for people who want to become American citizens and business courses for those seeking better job skills. Small businesses enroll employees in computer and accounting classes as a less costly way to upgrade their abilities.
The program came under fire last year when the state auditor found that it lacked adequate oversight and employed questionable accounting practices, which may have inflated staff pay. The auditor advised that adult education may be more cost-effective if it were placed with the community college system, which offers similar educational services.
The governor is aiming the 50 percent cut at leisure and recreational courses, but because fees charged for those cover almost all expenses for them, the reduction will likely affect basic-skills classes. Education officials should consider raising fees for non-essential courses so they are completely self-sustaining, but should not use them to subsidize the program.
About 1,000 people a year receive high school diplomas through adult education classes. It would a shame to deny others the same opportunity.
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WOMEN today are more mindful of the need for early detection of cervical cancer so a 29-year-old law that requires hospitals to offer Pap smears may no longer be necessary. What is disturbing, however, is that the state Health Department decided to refrain from enforcing the law before seeking its repeal. Cancer-screening
help for poor women
is still needed
THE ISSUE The Legislature is considering repealing a law that requires hospitals to offer tests for cervical cancer.
Although the state Legislature is likely to approve a bill to repeal the law, legislators should first assure that poor and low-income women who may not have access to health care won't fall through the cracks.
The law was enacted when the test for cervical cancer was not readily available through doctor visits and not covered by health insurance. It directs hospitals to offer Pap smears to all hospitalized women age 20 or older. Now that doctors screen for the disease as part of a normal gynecological exam, the bill's supporters say the law is obsolete. They argue it is impractical because when women are hospitalized, they are likely suffering from an illness or injury, which is not the best time to be conducting such a test.
Nonetheless, the law presented women with a choice for the screening, raised awareness about cervical cancer and certainly provided detection and treatment. That effort should not end with the law's repeal and the bill should attempt to deliver services to women who may forgo preventive measures because they can't afford them. Among the vulnerable are Asian and Hawaiian women, who have a disproportionately high rate of cervical cancer, according to Annelle Amaral of Planned Parenthood of Hawaii.
The Health Department's breast and cervical cancer detection program offers help to women 50 and older who are in need. Nonprofit health centers and clinics also provide services to women of all ages, but don't have to offer screening as now required by hospitals. Since these clinics are often the contact point for poor women, they may be the best resource to continue the endeavor.
The conduct of the Health Department remains troubling. It appears that the director under the previous administration agreed with hospital representatives that the law had outlived its usefulness and decided to stop enforcement. That was putting the cart before the horse. It should have waited until its repeal before abdicating its responsibilities.
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Published by Oahu Publications Inc., a subsidiary of Black Press.Frank Teskey, Publisher
Frank Bridgewater, Editor 529-4791; fbridgewater@starbulletin.com
Michael Rovner, Assistant Editor 529-4768; mrovner@starbulletin.com
Lucy Young-Oda, Assistant Editor 529-4762; lyoungoda@starbulletin.comMary Poole, Editorial Page Editor, 529-4748; mpoole@starbulletin.com
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