Minister of Education Anne Tolley says the Government is still committed to adult community education, despite announcing in May it will cut 80% of funding for the sector.
Community education groups have criticised the decision, with many sending letters to the minister expressing their concerns.
But Mrs Tolley says in the middle of an economic recession, ministers have to make tough decisions, and this is one of them.
She says the Government is still investing $124 million over the next four years in adult and community education.
Mrs Tolley says a lot of adult education classes are already available at clubs in local communities and she thinks many will see the benefit of running the courses on a user-pays basis.
She says funding in community education classes is being re-focused on numeracy, literacy and foundation skills as a way of leading more people back into skilled work.
Mrs Tolley says some people who take other adult education classes have told her they would be prepared to pay for them.
