Perth College UHI has refused to rule out closing down their learning centres in Crieff and Kinross amid growing concerns for their future.
The fear the college could shut the satellite centres follows their decision to move the Pathways Learning Centre from South Street in Perth to its main campus on the outskirts of the city.
When asked about the future of the learning centres in Crieff and Kinross a spokesperson for the college told The Courier they were continuing to review their options.
A Perth College UHI spokesperson said: “Perth College UHI continually reviews our provision across all strands of activity to ensure the financial sustainability our organisation.
“This includes what we deliver and the locations where we deliver our provision.
“This is increasingly important in a tight fiscal climate.”
Local MSP Roseanna Cunningham has written to the principal of Perth College UHI, regarding the “threat to the future” of the learning centres.
Ms Cunningham said: “The Crieff and Kinross learning centres are satellite units run by Perth College UHI and have been a fantastic example of widening access to further education.
“A thoughtful and sensible extension of the UHI’s collegiate model they have been really important and provided a community level educational resource.
“I am extremely worried, therefore, to learn of concerns that the future of these fantastic facilities might very well be under threat and I am writing to the principal of Perth College stressing my hope that there is no basis to these reports and that there are no plans whatsoever to close or downgrade the service provided in Crieff and Kinross.”
The move that takes the Pathways Learning Centre on South Street out of the city centre and back to the main campus in the city will take place this summer.
Speaking at the time of the announcement regarding Pathways, Dr Margaret Cook, Perth College UHI principal, said: “We have made this decision in order to guarantee a sustainable future for the delivery of the high-quality leisure programmes we offer to our local community.”
Perth College UHI currently operates three additional learning centres in Crieff, Kinross and Blairgowrie.
The learning facilities offer a wide range of courses that are supported by experienced tutors and are for people with a number of different aims -from those who want to further their education and study an accredited course to those who just want to satisfy a lifelong interest or learning ambition.
