Press Release, 21st Feb 2014

Part-time student numbers plummet by 9,000

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has raised concerns about the huge fall in part-time students at James Watt College.

Figures released by the Student Funding Council show that since the SNP came into power the number of part-time places has plummeted by 9,000.

He quizzed the Cabinet Secretary for Education Mike Russell on the figures in Parliament.

Duncan McNeil said:

“The huge fall in part-time students is worrying. Parents need access to part-time courses so they can balance their work and family life, and at the same, get a second chance to go to college and develop their skills”

“By cutting part-time places the SNP are hurting people’s lives chances. The Minister for Education’s response to these concerns is arrogant as well as complacent”

“I will be writing to the principal of the West of Scotland College to see what plans and strategies they have in place to reverse this trend”