This Thursday, 1st May, Scottish Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey MSP was sent an open letter signed by representatives from Scotland’s student movement and trade unions urging the Scottish Government to take greater action to address the crises in the Scottish education system.
Highlighting that the forthcoming Higher and Further Education Bill represents a critical opportunity to reshape the future of post-16 education in Scotland the signatories have demanded that students and staff be at the heart of shaping it to guarantee that it brings the transformative needed.
The letter, penned by NUS Scotland President Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan and signed by representatives from the STUC, Unite the Union, EIS, UCU and Unison, calls specifically for the government to commit to enshrining education as a public good and to embedding a long-term, sustainable funding model that is not reliant on exploitative fees. It also urges that they work with the UK Government to end the hostile environment that is undermining international students and staff.
This letter comes as the Scottish Government prepares to publish its programme for government and legislative programme for the year ahead which will include Post-School Education Reform.
Commenting, NUS Scotland President Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan said:
‘The Scottish Government must use the opportunities ahead to address the serious crises being faced by both universities and colleges across Scotland, which are a result of systemic underfunding. The livelihoods of dedicated educators, researchers, and support workers are being put at risk and students are paying the price, with learning conditions deteriorating and support services being slashed.
This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet - it is about people’s futures, their jobs, their education, and their lives. It is about Scotland’s ability to be a world leader in education. It is about whether we believe in an accessible, high-quality, well-funded education system or whether we are content to let it collapse in front of us.
We refuse to let our universities and colleges be decimated by inaction and political neglect. Education is the backbone of our society. Without it, we all suffer. The time for political platitudes is over - now is the time for action. Students and staff must be at the heart of any reform and we must permanently enshrine post-16 education as a public good in law and fund it properly and sustainably.’
The letter can be read in full and signed by following this link.
