SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has challenged political opponents to back the Scottish Government’s draft budget that will secure “substantial” funding for the Capital.
Continue reading Edinburgh College and Universities to benefit from extra funding
Tag: Colleges
Scotland’s colleges: improving picture but challenges remain
A deal to harmonise staff pay at a cost of £50m a year will absorb projected savings from the reform of Scotland’s colleges, says the Auditor General. Caroline Gardner’s annual report on colleges says the sector reported a very small surplus in its underlying financial position in 2016/17, compared to the previous year’s £8m deficit. Continue reading Scotland’s colleges: improving picture but challenges remain
£1.8 billion for Scotland’s colleges and universities
Universities and colleges will receive £1.8 billion of public funding for the next academic year., Further and Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville has announced. Continue reading £1.8 billion for Scotland’s colleges and universities
£61m boost for Scottish colleges
Student support, including funding for childcare, will be increased through additional financial support for the college sector from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council have set out how the £61 million of additional funding added to college budgets for 2013-15 will be spent.
Focusing on improving attainment, the additional investment over the next academic year (2013-14) includes:
- £1.9 million for additional student support through bursaries and childcare
- £2.1 million targeted for some college regions to meet increased demand
- £6.6 million for an additional learner places, including for women returning to study and part time places
- £4 million to aid the successful integration of newly merging colleges.
Education Secretary Michael Russell (pictured above) said: “Earlier this year the Scottish Government showed its commitment to Scotland’s colleges by adding £61 million to the sector’s budget compared to what was originally announced for the spending review period. Since then, we have been discussing with college representatives and NUS Scotland how to allocate this funding to improve attainment so that more students gain and complete their qualifications, while moving towards a system of large, efficient regional colleges that offers courses responsive to local economic need.
“I am very pleased to be able to map out how we can further support the sector and its students. Increased student bursaries will mean more money in the pockets of our hard pressed students in times of economic difficulty. While full time courses for younger people remain a priority, there will be more learning opportunities for older and part time students, including women returning to study.
“Further funding will also help colleges with increasing demand and help institutions work closely together on a regional basis. This is a substantial investment in a sector with enormous economic importance to Scotland, and I am looking forward to working with the entire sector to ensure colleges continue to deliver for learners.”