A campaign by Angus College students against hard-hitting budget cuts has been ”incredibly impressive”.
That’s the view of the federation of more than 60 students’ associations in Scotland, representing 53,0000 further and higher education students.
The students have been campaigning since the principal of Angus College warned public funding cuts will see 2,000 places axed and staff made redundant.
The college sector will bear the burden, with £74 million of cuts over three years, and principal John Burt is predicting 400 full-time places and 1,200 part-time places would disappear.
The Scottish Funding Council has a £1.5 billion budget for the academic year, comprising £956 million for universities and £528 million for colleges.
Students from Angus College have taken part in protests and started a petition that has attracted strong support from the local community.
The petition requests that a portion of the £66 million extra Westminster funding be used to negate the cuts being made to the further education sector next year.
Graeme Kirkpatrick, depute president of NUS Scotland, praised the campaign and the efforts of the Angus students.
”Angus College students’ opposition to the cuts has been incredibly impressive, and they should be very proud of what they have achieved so far,” he said.
”Sending a loud and clear message to the Parliament is the only way the student voice will be heard and the student experience will be protected.
”Of course, the challenges facing Angus College and colleges across Scotland are steep, and the 10% cuts from last year’s budget have had severe consequences. Those cuts resulted in increased class sizes, reduced teaching hours and course closures.
”Colleges have also seen counselling and guidance services slashed, a reduction of over 34% in part-time courses for disabled students and over 1,000 staff losing their jobs.
”The Scottish Government Spending Review has promised a further £74 million reduction in college funding, but has yet to send out a clear and convincing explanation of whether and how they will protect college places.
”In their election manifesto and in direct commitments to students, the SNP promised to protect college places. It’s now their responsibility to live up to those commitments by protecting places for students of all ages.”
Suggestions that Angus College could be merged with Dundee College have also been raised following the budget cuts and the release of the Scottish Funding Council’s joint consultation on the regionalisation of institutions.
Angus College Student Representative Council (SRC) campaigns officer Gary Paterson said: ”Under this funding proposal it is ever more possible a merger could happen. We need to know what that will mean for students and staff at Angus and indeed Dundee colleges.
”I am concerned that in the event of a merger a large part of provision may not be supported locally. For those with family and work commitments tied into geography it has the potential to take opportunities away.
”If any provision were to be moved from Angus it would greatly affect a large amount of students and of course the local community and economy.”
Colleague Katie Mew added: ”Without ESOL and other support services, students would suffer greatly, as these courses provide essential and fundamental skills to increase their chances of employability.”