Government can't rule out more redundancies, Angus College hears
Education secretary Mike Russell had a ''productive meeting'' with Angus College representatives on Tuesday, but could not rule out compulsory redundancies under proposed changes to further education.
At Angus College, from left — Graeme Dey, depute principal Jackie Howie, Ann Petrie, Mike Russell, principal John Burt, Graham Hay, chairman of the board of govenors, Tatiana Zorina and Katie Mew.
- By Richard Watt
- Published in the Courier : 21.12.11
- Published online : 21.12.11 @ 03.44pm
Representatives from Unison, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and Angus College Students' Association spoke to Mr Russell about their concerns over funding reductions, mergers and collaboration.
Mr Russell said: ''The future is not exactly rosy, we have great challenges ahead and I think everyone has come away from the table with a clearer picture of what educational reform may mean for Angus College.
''I am being positive about the message I've put across, there is a lot of opportunity ahead as well as challenge, and maybe some of the perceptions today will have changed.''
On what merging the college would mean for jobs, Mr Russell said: ''I'm personally against the idea of compulsory redundancies, and I hope any proposals will avoid that having to happen.''
Unison representatives Dougie Deans and Jennifer Dick sought to clarify a few points on proposals, which include regionalisation and mergers.
Mr Deans told The Courier he was heartened by some of what Mr Russell had to say, although he thought a merger is sure to end badly for staff and mature students outwith the Scottish Government's 16-19 age focus for further education.
He said: ''There was a positive aspect to the changes introduced in our meeting, but it was very short. Mention was made of the 41 colleges, but if my arithmetic's right then it is already down to 34. The pace of how fast these mergers are going through is frightening, because they are happening so fast it's impossible for anyone to deal with.''
Mr Deans referred to agreed mergers between Elmwood College in Cupar with two agricultural colleges, and Edinburgh's Telford College joining Stevenson and Jewel & Esk.
''We are already collaborating with universities and other colleges such as Abertay University and Dundee College, and taking in people from as far north as Laurencekirk,'' he said. ''We are meeting the government half way.''
Students' association campaign officer Katie Mew said: ''With the damaging cuts that the college sector is facing, we seek clarification from Mr Russell over maintaining the quality of education that we receive.
''We would like Mr Russell to support the aims of the NUS (National Union of Students) campaign Our Future Our Fight, which is calling on the Government to consider their proposals for the college sector.''
Tatiana Zorina said: ''We are counting every penny in our pocket, we cannot afford to go and study in another city to a merged college — extra travel, childcare and extra money for food are but a few worrying costs over already hard-pressed family budgets.
''If college places are cut all this will mean are more people unemployed on benefits instead of building positive opportunities and skills.''
NUS president Robin Parker said: ''Those students aren't just looking for warm words…It's clear from the Cabinet Secretary's meetings with student officers, from the £15 million transition fund, and from the £30 million youth unemployment fund that the government is listening.
''However, with a 10% cut last year and a further 20% planned over the coming three years we won't know if this is enough until there is real clarity for students from the government about what the impact to their education and to their communities will be.''
Mr Russell and Graeme Dey MSP also met EIS branch secretary Dr Ann Petrie and the college's EIS branch chairwoman, Yvonne Cargill.
Dr Petrie said: ''The issue of governance was also discussed, with the Cabinet Secretary saying he understood that there were a number of areas regarding accountability and democracy that would need to be explored following the Griggs Review, expected in January.
''He was clear that while the government wanted to prioritise places for 16-19-year-olds that this was not to the exclusion of other learners. He recognised rurality would be a factor in any discussions relating to Angus College.
''Finally…he is open to individual college plans as to how to take forward the regionalisation agenda and that he thought it was vital that staff have a voice in that process.''
An Angus College spokesman said: ''The principal and chair(man) were pleased to have had the opportunity to put forward their views on ways to manage the draft budget cuts to colleges in a way that would reduce the effects on future students.''
08.41pm - 21.12.2011 Kate - Angus, Scotland UK Report This
AngusCollege has previously stated that they would lose several hundred jobs. In response Mike Russell claimed this was scaremongering. Now he appears to have changed his opinion. Mmmm.
08.44pm - 21.12.2011 EJ - Fife, Scotland UK Report This
Reading between the lines heaps of jobs will be lost if not the numbers first mooted. This will allow Russell to claim a 'victory'. What a shallow group of politicians we Scots voted for. But we can't blame anyone but ourselves.
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