NUS Scotland President Ellie Gomersall ends term with call to politicians to work with students towards a better future
Today NUS Scotland has published a new report into Scotland’s tertiary education system, Roadmap to a New Education System, which sets out a bold vision for a better system, and better future for Scotland and its students.
The publication of this report continues a series that begun with Broke Students, Broken System report which was released in February and found Scotland’s education system to be chronically underfunded, overly marketised, and focused on profit at the expense of students, who are in many cases struggling just to get by.
As with the earlier report Roadmap to a New Education System focuses on the five key pillars of the education system: the funding model, student finance, housing, transport, and mental health. Outlining three steps that can be taken in each of these areas the report sets out a challenge to decision makers to join Scotland’s students in building new better system that serves students and Scotland alike.
The vision set out is that of a fully funded education system, where education is recognised as a public good and there is complete parity between higher and further education. The report envisions a Scotland where every student gets a minimum income guarantee, and student housing co-operatives have created a new, affordable, democratic model of student living. It imagines a Scotland where all students have access to free public transport, and where a stable mental health ecosystem is in place across the life cycle of all students. A Scotland that is within reach if the country’s politicians are bold and prepared to listen to the voices of the student movement.
Coinciding with end of Ellie Gomersall’s two-year term as NUS Scotland President the publication of this reports marks the culmination of her work in the role representing and fighting for students. Commenting, she said:
“As our first report this year demonstrated, students in Scotland have long been struggling in an education system which is underfunded, undervalued and in desperate need of a different approach. Now this follow-up demonstrates that this is not inevitable but with vision and commitment to realise it we can see an education system designed by students, for students.
A good education system can provide immeasurable benefit to society, economically yes but in ways so much more than that. It has the power to enrich the lives and fabric of our communities.
During my time at NUS we have strived to be not just a critical voice but a constructive one, rightly calling out politicians and government when they have let students down but also standing ready to work with them for the mutual benefit of Scotland and its students.
This new report should be seen as an invitation. The student movement is setting out a roadmap to a better education system but also a better, fairer Scotland and we’re calling on politicians to follow it.”
