Dozens of students and staff joined forces outside a Fife college to protest “devastating” cuts.
A consultation process is under way at Elmwood College in Cupar and “a number of posts” are at risk.
Organisers of Wednesday’s demonstration warned a 10.4% cut in funding to colleges across Scotland will have a dire impact on not just a generation of students but also the wider community.
Karen Dawson, who is chairwoman of the UNISON further education committee and an employee at Elmwood, said, “The message was ‘no funding — no future.’ We wanted to raise awareness of these savage cuts.”
Ms Dawson warned of a “bleak future” for colleges throughout the country, with fewer courses, staff losses and reduced educational opportunities.
A statement issued by Elmwood College chiefs confirmed that funding cuts had led to the institution experiencing “financial challenges.”
“These challenges are being felt by every college in Scotland,” it said. “The cut in investment in further education means that every college is faced with some difficult choices and Elmwood is not immune from these challenges.”
Last month the college entered a 90-day consultation period and a number of posts have been identified as being “at risk.”
“One of the issues on which the college is currently consulting is how we best use the Elmwood Farm for our long-term future and ensure it is also relevant to the economy of Fife,” the statement continued. “The board has already agreed that the farm is to remain as part of our overall estate and we will be using it to deliver a wide range of land-based courses.”
However, it has been decided that Elmwood will withdraw from “organic” status.
Continued…
“The premiums do not justify continuation,” the statement noted. “We are not closing the farm, but we may be changing what is delivered on the farm. We will still need access to land for conservation, gamekeeping, animal care and equine curricula.”
The board hopes to increase the returns Elmwood achieves from the farm.
“We have been speaking to some representatives of the local farming industry and we are arranging a future farming focus group to advise the college,” the statement said. “We have been and will continue to explore their training needs in order to find a practical and economical solution for Elmwood and the local economy.”
The consultation includes a proposal for the cessation of the full-time agriculture course on the farm.
“The course would be transferred to our partner college at Oatridge in Broxburn,” the statement said. “In return we are consulting on the transfer of course provision from Oatridge to Elmwood.
“The cessation of greenkeeping courses at Oatridge would strengthen Elmwood’s claims to be the UK’s foremost centre for greenkeeping and golf course management.”
But the statement acknowledged the level of anger sparked by the changes.
“News of these proposals has created a great deal of concern within our land-based students, who have launched a Facebook campaign and online petition to raise awareness of the threat to the agriculture provision at Elmwood,” it added.
College principal Jim Crooks said he “understood the strength of feeling” displayed by those protesting against the changes.
“I am very grateful to all those with a real attachment and regard for Elmwood and its past, present and future delivery,” he continued. “I can only reiterate that, along with my senior management colleagues and the board…I only wish to see our college succeed.”