Report to the People
The Future of Student Funding
There were times, I must confess, at the beginning of the Parliament’s life, when proceedings were hard going. There were a number of rather dry, technical measures left over from the days of the Scottish Office and not much to shout about.
But now, I am pleased to say, we are more than making up for it. And last week was, I think, the most dramatic yet.
The centrepiece of the political debate was the unveiling of the future of student finance. This is an issue that, whether through opportunism or genuine feeling, is guaranteed to raise passionate debate on all sides.
While the debate has focussed on funding for university students, my agenda has been closer to the issue of further education (FE) colleges and how we can expand access. FE colleges are the Cinderellas of education. Their problems and those of their students are all too often eclipsed by those of its more glamorous sister. As someone who benefited from second chance learning, I am keen to promote access for all and have raised this issue in earlier debates and on the committee for Lifelong Learning.
I stood on a platform of delivering for opportunity for all. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to realise their full potential, regardless of social or economic background. The policy of widening access to further education, so that it is no longer the preserve of the better off, is clearly reflected in the Executive’s proposals.
Although higher education expanded rapidly during the early 1990s, the result was a continuing social divide. While over half the youngsters from well off families go into higher education, only 10% of youngsters from our lowest income groups do so. This stark reality is not simply a national shame, it represents a significant barrier to building a modern, dynamic Scotland.
To be frank – if we are to realise our ambitions in government, this situation MUST improve. We cannot deliver economic stability and prosperity, social justice or a knowledge economy without developing the skills and abilities of the workforce.
So what, then, does this new system mean for you?
There are 3 main points:
Not only is this good news for students, for colleges and universities, and for the Scottish Economy, it is great news locally.
I have contacted James Watt College who welcome the proposals and are especially pleased that HNC and HND students will not pay tuition fees – working towards our shared goal of extending access to further education and boosting employment prospects.
In its most basic terms, if you are thinking about going or returning to college, or if you know someone who is, consider this:
If you go to college or university to study an HNC or HND, or if you are a mature student, or a single parent, it will not cost you a penny and you will get a better job at the end of it.
It’s that simple. What’s stopping you?
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