More student places as colleges share £555m pay-out
SCOTTISH colleges are to share a multimillionpound package that it is claimed will widen access to further education.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) yesterday announced that £555 million was to be split among 43 colleges – although only five have been given enough cash to increase student places and teaching hours.
The council said it was targeting more money on those areas with lowest participation, to continue its strategy of targeted growth. The five institutions to get a bonus share are Barony College in Dumfries, Borders College in Galashiels, Dumfries and Galloway College in Dumfries, Forth Valley College in Central Scotland and North Highland College, based in Thurso, which also serves Argyll.
John McClelland, the SFC chairman, said: "I am particularly pleased that we have been able to allocate substantial funding towards widening and increasing equity of access to Scotland’s worldclass education system."
Colleges will also be able to provide increased support to students who need help with living and study costs through a grant of £72 million – an increase of 3.8 per cent on 20078 – for bursaries, and discretionary and childcare funding.
There is also £3 million earmarked for university and college partnerships to help successful college students move into the second and third years of a degree, as well as finance for college buildings.
Roger McClure, the chief executive of the SFC, said: "I am delighted that, within a relatively tight settlement, the government has continued to provide substantial capital funding to ensure that, in due course, all of Scotland’s college students and staff are able to work in excellent facilities."
Original source : The Scotsman
