Save our colleges

Published on 25/06/2012 00:00

The Scottish Government still gloats over free university education as if there were no far-reaching effects.

Scots college students, largely from deprived backgrounds, are at more and more disadvantage, as vital funds are diverted away to bankroll “free” university tuition. Scotland’s colleges spread educational worth and social hope. A host of courses have all but vanished, and now hundreds of thousands of young Scots face losing their best ever chance to brighten their prospects.

Colleges in Scotland are universally recognised for cultivating some sharp talent. And yet, further education in which scores of Scots succeed has seen a crunching cut of £78 million.

Droves of English school-leavers are now chasing every single route into a Scottish university hopeful of landing a top place. Edinburgh alone has offered 4,996 applicants a slot. Scottish youngsters now face fierce competition, as SNP ministers allow universities to reap massive returns from recruiting more students from elsewhere – English, Welsh and Northern Irish undergraduates can be charged up to £9,000 per year; home-grown Scots are worth as little as £5,278.

Those in power must stop using populist policies and platitudes to advance their own cause.

GORDON BARLOW

Timmons Park Lochgelly