COLLEGE MERGERS: GREENS SAY SNP MUST NOT LET STUDENTS DOWN
The Scottish Greens have urged the Scottish Government to take immediate action to address the problems Scotland's college mergers have left behind.
According to a new survey of college staff by the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS), the majority of staff members do not believe mergers have delivered on improvements promised. Commenting on the findings, Isla O’Reilly, SGP spokesperson on Education, said the figures raise concerns over learning and teaching quality and staff working conditions, and called on the SNP to ensure funds saved in mergers were invested back into colleges.
Isla O'Reilly, Scottish Green MSP candidate for Highlands & Islands and party spokesperson on Education, Children and Young people, said:
"These figures show that we are dangerously close to slipping back into an unfair two-tier education system, where universities are well-resourced and highly-valued, while college staff are struggling to provide the quality education their students deserve.
"Colleges play an absolutely vital role in educating our young people and providing new skills for mature learners, but teaching staff won't be able to deliver if they have to constantly fear for their jobs and fight for basic resources. Scotland takes pride in its education system, and we cannot afford to continue letting our college students and staff down.
"It's time for the Scottish Government to clean up the mess the poorly managed mergers have left behind. The funds saved through mergers must be reinvested immediately to ensure college staff are able to do their jobs and that students have the support they need to see their courses through."