Cuts to community education will leave a void in social and educational opportunities in smaller Otago towns, providers say.
In last week's Budget, it was announced national funding of about $16 million for Adult Community Education (ACE) would be reduced to $3 million in 2010.
The remaining 20% of funding would be allocated by the Tertiary Education Commission and only some schools would get it, Community Learning Through Education president Maryke Fordyce said.
She was "extremely disappointed" the funding had been cut and was left "wondering if it was well thought out".
She believed a "void" would open up in smaller communities as education courses provided social cohesion and a learning hub.
South Otago High School principal Nicholas Simpson believed the move ran counter to the philosophy of the revised curriculum which talked about "actively involved, life-long learners".
He was "disappointed" people in Balclutha might miss out on the educational and social stimulation the courses offered.
"It gets people out and involved. It's part of the flavour of small communities."
Mr Simpson had not fully worked through what the cuts would mean for the school but said future options could include cutting services, or passing costs on to the user.
Tokomairiro High School principal Wayne Edgar was also still analysing the feasibility of continuing to offer night classes and believed the funding cut would impact negatively on the Milton community.
About 200 people attended a "variety of courses" at the school and the community would now have to look elsewhere for adult education options.
"They are losing an opportunity within Milton."
Kaikorai Valley College co-ordinator Rosemary Flanagan did not see the cuts coming and was "shocked and amazed".
The college planned to do everything it could to ensure classes continued and she believed courses in smaller communities would find it most difficult as they did not have the support of polytechnics.
About 6000 people attend night courses in Dunedin, which are available at Kaikorai Valley College, Bayfield High School, Logan Park High School and Taieri College.
In the wider Otago area, courses are available at South Otago High School, East Otago High School, Tokomairiro High School, Lawrence Area School and Roxburgh Area School.
