A FLAGSHIP policy to increase the number of students from poorer backgrounds at Scottish universities is “stalling” because a key leadership post remains vacant, politicians have warned.
The Scottish Government has committed itself to the appointment of a Fair Access Commissioner to lead the drive to increase the number of university students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In a speech laying out the Scottish Government’s legislative plans for the parliamentary session on September 7th First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the commissioner would be appointed “over the next few weeks”.
However, nearly two months later there has still been no announcement and Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott has now raised the issue in parliament.
He said: “The government has decided to make this appointment themselves, so what are they waiting for?
“Ministers say this work is vitally important yet months have passed and we still await a person being given the responsibilities to widen access to universities. “People will be wondering why there is a delay. If ministers are so determined to appoint their own person then for goodness sake they should get on with it.”
The lack of an appointment has also caused concern amongst students and university officials.
Vonnie Sandlan, president of student body NUS Scotland, said: “We’ve consistently called for an appointment to be made as a matter of priority if we are to take the bold leaps we must in reaching our elusive ambition.
“It’s vital we don’t lose the urgency or momentum and we would hope to see an appointment made soon.”
Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: “With the end of the year fast approaching we are keen for a commissioner to be appointed.
“That appointment will have a central role linking government with all parts of the education sector to drive forward progress on access to university.
“Universities have worked up a range of actions and are moving on to implementation and we are keen to share this with the new commissioner.
“Getting the right person is paramount, but there is also a need to keep the sense of momentum.”
The issue of improving fair access is a key priority for Ms Sturgeon, but recent figures have shown progress towards national targets has been slow.
Although numbers of access students have improved in recent years just 1,335 school-leavers from the poorest 20 per cent of households went to university in Scotland in 2013/14 compared to 5,520 from the richest 20 per cent of communities.
By 2030, the Government wants to see a 20 per cent rise in the number of students from the poorest households attending university.
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