A task force has been set up in Scotland to make sure students can complete their college courses. The group includes representatives of colleges and universities, students, education unions and the Scottish government, and is chaired by further education, higher education and science minister Richard Lochhead. It met for the first time today.
It will consider the challenges that colleges and universities face in delivering practical learning as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, with the immediate priority for the task force being to help students complete their courses and move into further study or employment. It will also consider arrangements if some students need to defer a part of their course.
Colleges have been closed for most face-to-face teaching during current restrictions and the delivery of practical courses has been especially affected.
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Mr Lochhead said, given the uncertainty around the course of the pandemic, many students were understandably worried about when they could get back to campus for learning they cannot do remotely.
He said: “Universities and colleges are already working creatively and flexibly to support students to learn at home, and I thank them for their huge efforts.
“This task force agreed today to do everything possible to ensure students can complete their courses this academic year and beyond. We will explore urgently the practical solutions that could be implemented, quickly, to minimise the number of students who may be affected.
“This is a complex issue and, as well as supporting as many college and university students to complete their courses on time, we will also do everything we can to support those that may not be able to.”
Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “We’re pleased the task force is focused on supporting colleges to deliver qualifications at this acutely difficult time. There are only a few months before the academic year ends in July and a lot to do in that time to reduce the impact on learning posed by ongoing restrictions.
“The national lockdown, announced on 4 January and now extended until the end of February, immediately changed the opportunities colleges have to support students to finish their courses. There has been an incredible effort from college staff to help their students right across the country already to support their students, and nationally we are determined that everything possible is done to help students achieve in this academic year.
“It is without doubt that there are some tough issues to solve. Colleges Scotland is confident, however, that we can mitigate a lot of the factors around course completion in the coming weeks by working closely with Scottish government and others.”
“Students can expect their own college to continue to communicate regularly with them about their individual course and arrangements for learning and assessment.”
Matt Crilly, NUS Scotland president, said: “We welcome the Scottish government’s new national task force, which met today for the first time. Students and apprentices need a roadmap and it’s up to the Scottish government to work with institutions, awarding bodies and unions to ensure students at all stages are not academically disadvantaged by the pandemic, and are fully supported.
“Many students have been unable to complete their critical in-person training. We want to ensure that the disruption caused is minimised and they can complete their studies safely and successfully.”
Members of the task force
- Scottish Government
- Colleges Scotland
- Universities Scotland
- Scottish Funding Council
- Students Awards Agency for Scotland
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Union representation from UCU, Unison, Unite, EIS
- National Union of Students
- Education Scotland
