Latest editorial
Error message
An error occurred while searching, try again later.
University graduates
STUDENTS and trade unions sent an open letter to the Scottish government today, urging action to address the crises in the country’s education system.
The letter, written by NUS Scotland president Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan, warns that the higher and further education sectors “teeter on the edge of collapse.”
It highlights that institutions have been “forced to rely on precarious international student fees,” but the British government’s “hostile rhetoric and policies” have made it clear that students from abroad are no longer welcome.
Co-signed by representatives of the STUC and the Unite, EIS, UCU and Unison unions, the letter says that the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill is a “critical” opportunity to reshape the future of post-16 education.
It demanded that the legislation deliver “real solutions, not just surface-level reforms.”
“This means embedding a sustainable public funding model, ensuring secure jobs and fair pay for staff and committing to education as a right, not a privilege,” it said.
Published in February, the Holyrood Bill aims to simplify the funding system for both college and university students and apprentices by reducing the number of funding bodies.
Ms Viswanathan said: “The livelihoods of dedicated educators, researchers and support workers are being put at risk and students are paying the price, with learning conditions deteriorating and support services being slashed.
“This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet, it is about people’s futures, their jobs, their education and their lives.
“It is about Scotland’s ability to be a world leader in education.
“It is about whether we believe in an accessible, high-quality, well-funded education system or whether we are content to let it collapse in front of us.”
SG spokesperson said:
“As a result of our resolute commitment to free tuition, we are seeing record levels of Scots securing a university place in Scotland. Scotland’s student debt levels are also the lowest in the UK, almost three times lower than in England.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are continuing to invest over £2bn in the post school sector this year and we continue to provide the most generous student support in the UK
“The university sector is aware we are open to exploring the future funding model of universities, but we are clear that this Government will not reintroduce tuition fees.
"Access to higher education must be based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay. Broader financial pressures facing the sector remain, including the UK Government’s migration policies, employee National Insurance contributions, and inflationary pressures.”
Cuts have been rife across the education sector. At Edinburgh University, 350 staff opted for voluntary redundancy last month as the institution attempts to slash £140 million from its budget.
At the University of Dundee, staff have backed industrial action after it announced that 700 jobs could be at risk while the institution grapples with a £35m deficit.
