Bill on education 'needs clarified'

Mar 20 2013

More clarity is needed with Scottish Government legislation aimed at reforming the college and university sector, a Holyrood committee has said.

The Education Committee said its support for the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill is "qualified" as it voiced concerns about the legislation.

The Bill, put forward by the Scottish Government, includes provision for college "regionalisation" which could lead to mergers or colleges working together more closely. It also aims to widen access to higher education and limit tuition fees for university students coming from the rest of the UK.

Overall it sets out to make college and university education more responsive to the needs of both students and employers.

While MSPs on the committee back its underlying aims, they have "some concerns about aspects of the proposed legislation".

Convener Stewart Maxwell said: "There is general agreement about the need to reform Scotland's further and higher education sectors to ensure that they improve the life chances of young people. However, after hearing evidence we are clear that the Scottish Government must provide clarity on some aspects of the Bill, particularly in relation to college regionalisation.

"We have also asked the Scottish Government for further information on how the new college structures will work in practice and to explain the underlying principles behind its planned reform of college boards."

The committee also wants to know what the consequences would be for any university that fails to meet agreements on widening access, Mr Maxwell said.

A number of organisations, particularly those in the higher education sector, questioned if legislation is necessary in certain areas, the committee said in its report on the Bill.

Some universities argue that a proposal to cap fees for students from the rest of the UK are unnecessary, while concerns were also raised that the Bill would "seriously erode the autonomy" of universities.