Fife College has been challenged to expand its service in north east Fife, following the news it plans to move from the Elmwood College campus in Cupar.
While the Scottish Rural University College (SRUC) is committed to a strong presence at Elmwood, concerns have been raised that would-be college students in north east Fife including many in rural areas will struggle to access the full range of Fife College courses.
Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Brett and MSP Willie Rennie want guarantees the area’s young people will not suffer.
Mr Brett, who represents the Tay Bridgehead, has written to Hugh Logan, the principal of the college. He said: “I am very anxious about what the proposed withdrawal from Elmwood will mean for Cupar and the wider north east Fife area.
“We need clarity from the college as to their intentions. The sudden decision to shut down their presence on the Elmwood campus generated a lot of concern.
“It would be unacceptable if courses were to be concentrated in Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, as north east Fife already has a very poor further education offer. That needs to improve.”
Mr Rennie said: “If the college is determined to withdraw from the Elmwood campus, leaving the SRUC on the site, we want guarantees the further education offer in the area will expand and not contract.
“Towns like Anstruther and St Andrews need a better deal, too. In Cupar courses have been limited to hair and beauty, care and social sciences, and skills for life and work. This needs to expand so more students can get access to the course they want closer to home.
“The college principal needs to provide clarity on his intentions and provide a guarantee that the courses available to students in north east Fife will expand.”
A college spokesperson said: “We may be moving out of the Cupar campus in June 2016 but we remain committed to ensuring a range of courses and learning opportunities are available in north east Fife.
“It is also very much our intention to broaden the range of courses available, offering more choice for people in the area.
“All staff currently employed by Fife College at the Cupar campus have been advised of the plans and are assisting us in looking at new ways to deliver courses in the area. We hope to be in a position to share our plans with our partners and the local community in the very near future.”