THE number of colleges in Scotland could be slashed under radical proposals for a shake-up of further and higher education.

The Scottish Government has announced plans for legislation as early as next year to force through a series of mergers.

Announcing the move in the Scottish Parliament, Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said a new network of colleges based on 11 regional areas would be more effective.

The number of universities would also be reviewed as part of the new legislation, he said.

The controversial proposals are set out in a pre-legislative paper which contains a number of far-reaching proposals for universities and colleges.

They include plans for new legislation to force universities to widen access to pupils from deprived communities. Those who did not meet strict targets on widening access would be fined.

It also suggests universities should be placed under a statutory duty to seek out talented pupils from schools who routinely send few pupils to higher education.

The paper, Putting Learners At The Centre, also says employers should have a greater role in what is taught in colleges and should have an influence over the make-up of qualifications.

However, the most immediately contentious issue is the call for mergers in the further education sector, where there are currently 41 colleges.

The report states: “The financial pressures we face mean we can no longer afford a system of individual institutions with all the managerial and academic overheads that entails serving overlapping areas. Given that for many colleges and regional universities there is a natural regional catchment area they serve, regional planning and funding of provision makes sense for most of the country.

“We think a series of mergers, over time, to create regional colleges of scale is the best means of securing coherent, relevant provision.”

Last night, John Spencer, convener of Scotland’s Colleges, issued a warning over the plan.

He said: “Our concern in the direction of travel for the Government is they appear to be seeking efficiencies in having fewer colleges, but delivering the same teaching activity to the same numbers of learners.

“This would be a very challenging agenda in any circumstance, but it seems likely we will soon hear that colleges may be asked to do this while absorbing a tough funding settlement.”

David Belsey, national officer for further and higher education at the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union, said a bid to start funding colleges on a regional basis from next year would be too soon. “We fear the college sector will be asked to deliver more with less, which is unsustainable,” he added.

Ken Macintosh, the education spokesman for the Scottish Labour Party, said: “The minister needs to tell us which universities and colleges face merger.

“If he believes Scotland has too many universities and colleges he should say so. He should also say what consultation and discussion there will be and over what timescale the review will take place.”

However, there was a welcome for the greater role of business in colleges and universities.

Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland, said: “Skills are a key driver of economic growth and a number of the proposals will better align publicly-funded skills development with the needs of business.”

The proposals also include provision for faster progression from school or college to university with more young people going straight into the second year of a degree.

There will also be a minimum income of £7000 for Scotland’s poorest students, modernisation of the careers service and an additional £500,000 to support international research activity in universities.

 

Reform plans at a glance

  • Commitment that every 16 to 19-year-old has a place in learning or training by the end of this financial year.
  • A new duty to review the number and pattern of colleges and universities with mergers where appropriate.
  • A new duty on universities to widen access or face fines.
  • Changes to college and university governance.
  • Modernising Skills Development Scotland’s careers service.
  • Making progression between school, college and university easier.
  • Stronger collaboration with employers to ensure their needs are met.
  • Introducing a minimum student income of £7000.
  • Maintaining Scotland as a world leader in university research.
  • Providing an additional £500,000 to the SFC to support international research activity.