Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 29 September 2011
29 Sep 2011 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s Colleges
No. I am sorry, but I have only four minutes.
The professionals also recognise that, in a progressive country, change is a constant. As the cabinet secretary mentioned, other principals, such as those at Stevenson College Edinburgh and Jewel & Esk College, recognise that in a progressive country where existing individual colleges provide strong and superb educational training opportunities, they will be even stronger and better by collaborating.
The motion contains echoes from the London Tory Government—their London Tory Government—with the resonance of the policy of tuition fees to secure what in their minds would be better higher education. However, as was pointed out in an intervention, the motion makes no mention of the Tory cuts from London of 25 per cent and the severe damage from that.
Where is the hard evidence that there has been a severe cut in successful partnerships, as the Conservative motion claims? Certainly, our economic performance is better than that down south. The Conservatives always consider revenues—that is always their shibboleth—rather than costs, change and efficiency. The principals are willing to embrace efficiencies and partnerships. They are being consulted on post-16 reforms, not dragged into mergers.
Did the Conservatives sleepwalk through the legislative programme statement last month, in which we reiterated our commitment to young people? Did they read and understand the paper “Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education”, which confirmed our program for 16 to 19-year-olds? That underpins the policy that every 16 to 19-year-old will be guaranteed a learning and training opportunity, which is a top priority for our colleges.
The professionals also recognise that, in a progressive country, change is a constant. As the cabinet secretary mentioned, other principals, such as those at Stevenson College Edinburgh and Jewel & Esk College, recognise that in a progressive country where existing individual colleges provide strong and superb educational training opportunities, they will be even stronger and better by collaborating.
The motion contains echoes from the London Tory Government—their London Tory Government—with the resonance of the policy of tuition fees to secure what in their minds would be better higher education. However, as was pointed out in an intervention, the motion makes no mention of the Tory cuts from London of 25 per cent and the severe damage from that.
Where is the hard evidence that there has been a severe cut in successful partnerships, as the Conservative motion claims? Certainly, our economic performance is better than that down south. The Conservatives always consider revenues—that is always their shibboleth—rather than costs, change and efficiency. The principals are willing to embrace efficiencies and partnerships. They are being consulted on post-16 reforms, not dragged into mergers.
Did the Conservatives sleepwalk through the legislative programme statement last month, in which we reiterated our commitment to young people? Did they read and understand the paper “Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education”, which confirmed our program for 16 to 19-year-olds? That underpins the policy that every 16 to 19-year-old will be guaranteed a learning and training opportunity, which is a top priority for our colleges.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-00955, in the name of Liz Smith, on Scotland’s colleges. 10:25
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
If there is a sector in Scottish education that has made the most substantial progress in recent years, it is the college sector. Its institutions have deliv...
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
SNP
I assume that the member’s inference is that her colleagues down south have levered in private finance to further education and have not, therefore, passed o...
Liz Smith
Con
For the simple reason that the Scottish National Party Government will not accept the fact that it cannot just say that it does not approve of the principle ...
Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member want further education students to pay in Scotland?
Liz Smith
Con
There are many FE students who might have higher education places in colleges and, if they come from the rest of the UK, they will surely be paying.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I say to Mr Doris that interventions should be made officially.
Liz Smith
Con
Along with many in the university sector and many public figures such as Lord Sutherland and Sir Andrew Cubie, the Scottish Conservatives have persistently a...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
In my statement to the chamber two weeks ago, I made clear the breadth and depth of Scotland’s post-16 education system. I also made clear the value that the...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Russell
SNP
No—I will make progress.The college sector’s structure has lain largely untouched for many years. Now we have an opportunity and a pressing need for positive...
Liz Smith
Con
Notwithstanding the cabinet secretary’s comment about cuts, why does the college sector—relative to the higher education sector—have to bear the brunt of cuts?
Michael Russell
SNP
That is because we are focused on positive reform that builds on the fundamental changes to school education that are under way through curriculum for excell...
Ken Macintosh
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary clarify his remark that students will not have to pay fees? Does he not actually mean Scottish students? After all, he has introdu...
Michael Russell
SNP
I have frequently said that I wish that that had not been the case. I wish that the Labour Party had not so enthusiastically backed student fees south of the...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Last week, The Herald contained a disturbing headline, indicating that 1,000 further education jobs have been lost in a year. Although that does not tell the...
Bob Doris
SNP
I am confused. Mr Macintosh mentioned the “merger by fax” comment, but I understand that, last week, he asked the cabinet secretary to tell us which universi...
Ken Macintosh
Lab
That is a pretty convoluted point, but I think that Mr Doris has just admitted that the University of Abertay Dundee will be closed. I think that that was wh...
Michael Russell
SNP
I am very interested that Ken Macintosh wants to see more vocational education. I presume that he therefore endorses a point of view that was put forward las...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Mr Macintosh, you are now slightly over your time, but I will give you some leeway because of the interventions that you have taken.
Ken Macintosh
Lab
I am delighted that Mike Russell pays such close attention to Labour Party policy and its conference. The SNP has already adopted the sensible Labour Party p...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the debate, but I am astounded by the claim from the Conservatives and Liz Smith that, in the one week since the spending review announcement, they...
Liz Smith
Con
Will the member give way?
Chic Brodie
SNP
No. I am sorry, but I have only four minutes.The professionals also recognise that, in a progressive country, change is a constant. As the cabinet secretary ...
Liz Smith
Con
Will the member give way?
Chic Brodie
SNP
No, sorry.Will the Conservatives accept that the reforms will result in even greater consultation and collaboration to produce greater partnerships that will...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
When the cabinet secretary reported to us what the principals had been saying, he failed to report what they are saying about the cuts. The truth is that the...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Jenny Marra
Lab
No, thank you.The SNP has made its choices in line with its own priorities. Those choices will curtail the choices of many other people; often, they will cur...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?