Perthshire Conservatives have attacked the Scottish Government for failing to adequately support Perth College.
Despite an SNP pledge for fair treatment for rural colleges, the latest funding announcement by the Scottish Funding Council included nothing for Perth.
Of the colleges in Scotland, 29 received funding in the Economic Downturn Additional Funding For Colleges For Academic Year 2010-11 package, announced last month.
Local Tories believe that the government should have allocated money to all colleges serving rural areas, to help cope with the recession.
They have now written to education secretary Michael Russell to call for an investigation into the matter.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said, “It is very disappointing that Perth College has not received any funding from this announcement.
“Perth and Perthshire have not been immune to the economic downturn and I believe that Perth College should have been allocated funding to provide training and education to more individuals in the area and help combat unemployment.”
He wrote to Mr Russell, “I refer to previous debates on this issue in the Scottish Parliament, namely a debate on the role of colleges in the economic recovery on October 1, which was led by your predecessor Fiona Hyslop.
“The Scottish Government’s motion was amended by the Scottish Conservatives to include a pledge to encourage the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council to recognise the particular needs of colleges in rural areas when allocating funds to the sector.”
He added, “It is unfortunate that this has not been taken into account on this occasion and it is not right or fair that Perth College is missing out on important funding streams.
“I would be grateful if you looked into this matter and carried out an investigation into why Perth College missed out on funding.”
Mr Fraser’s comments have been echoed by Peter Lyburn, the Conservative candidate for Perth and North Perthshire.’Vital role’He said, “Perth College plays a vital role in providing skills and training to the local workforce.
“It and other colleges serving rural areas should not be forgotten about by the SNP government or the funding council when it comes to allocation of resources to help with the economic downturn.
“The Scottish Conservatives appreciate that the Scottish Funding Council has operational independence, but nevertheless they do act with SNP government guidance and the Scottish Conservatives’ amendment meant that the SNP government was to encourage the funding council to ensure fair treatment of rural colleges.”
He added, “The SNP government is letting down our rural colleges and as a result Perth College and others are missing out.”