Merged colleges still to be given official approval
ByKieran Andrews
New merged colleges in Tayside and Fife have not yet been approved by ministers despite principals being appointed and opening dates set.
The Courier can reveal bosses at both the proposed Dundee and Angus and Fife education centres have drawn up business cases to justify mergers forced by the Scottish Government’s post-16 Education Bill.
It is understood that senior staff at every college in Scotland affected by the reforms had to prepare similar documents, which are sent to the Scottish Funding Council and then Education Secretary Mike Russell for approval.
The Tayside college has drawn up its plans, which are expected to be submitted soon.
Fife’s proposal has been given the nod by SFC and is awaiting a decision from government.
Scottish Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith described colleges having to justify proposed mergers as “an extraordinary state of affairs”.
Despite not being officially signed off, the merged Fife College is due to open on August 1 with Dundee and Angus on November 1. Principals have been appointed for both.