Concern is growing about the future of college education in north east Fife, as student numbers dwindle at SRUC Elmwood.
Fife College, which shares the Cupar campus with SRUC, is to withdraw from the town next year and there are worries SRUC, which is already selling Elmwood’s farm, could follow suit.
SRUC Elmwood courses in both further and higher education at Elmwood, which include animal, countryside, horticulture and tourism programmes, are less than three-quarters full and assistant principal David James said the student population had declined.
Both North East Fife MSP Roderick Campbell and Fife Council’s education spokesman, Councillor Bryan Poole, have called for reassurance on the land-based college’s commitment to the area.
Mr James said work is being undertaken to attract more students and a range of options is being explored for course delivery during financially- challenging times.
He gave no firm statement of commitment, however, despite insistence from the college in September that Elmwood was a key part of its strategy.
Mr Campbell said an assurance of SRUC’s long-term presence in Cupar several months ago had since had caveats of “viability and sustainability” added to it by acting chief executive Janet Swadling. He said: “The provision of further education, particularly rural, land-based education, in north east Fife must be preserved, at all costs.”
He raised the issue as a matter of urgency with Education Secretary Angela Constance and suggested proceeds of the farm sale should be invested in the campus.
He said: “The rumour and speculation regarding Elmwood campus is not helpful, particularly for the staff and students at the college, some of whom have already raised concerns with me directly.”
Cupar councillor Mr Poole said the area’s economy depended on training of young people to work in it. He said: “We have a thriving land-based economy built on golf, tourism, food, farming, etc. If these courses aren’t delivered at Elmwood that would affect not only the students but the whole economy of north east Fife.”
Mr James said: “At this point in time we are exploring a range of options. We have six campuses across Scotland and there are probably five of those in need of significant capital investment.
“There are different ways of delivering different types of programmes.”
For example, he said, work-based training could be offered with assessment within the workplace.
He added: “There may be options to deliver training partnerships and there may be an opportunity to do more with Fife Council.”