24 Jan 2017
Figures out today have revealed that there are 150,000 fewer students in further education in Scotland since the SNP came to power.
The Scottish Funding Council revealed that there were 227,258 college students in 2015/16, compared to 379,223 in 2007.
Part time courses have almost halved from 398,606 to 185,133 between 2007 and 2016, a decrease of 54 per cent.
The figures continue a trend that has seen college places slashed as a result of the SNP’s dramatic cuts to college funding in recent years.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said:
“Colleges play a pivotal role in our education system, so it’s deeply concerning that student numbers have dropped to this level.
“Each year colleges help prepare thousands of people for the world of work by giving them the skills they need to get on in life, yet the SNP have chosen to implement huge cuts to the sector.
“Even places in part-time courses have dropped by over half, which will be a huge blow to those trying to balance work and study.
“The SNP’s record on education since they came to power is shameful, and they need to reverse their draconian cuts to college funding as soon as possible.
“Scotland’s colleges are among the best in Britain at equipping our youth with the necessary skills to succeed, and we have to support them.”
The report from the Scottish Funding Council is available here: http://www.sfc.ac.uk/communications/Statisticalpublications/2017/SFCST032017.aspx The figures are in table B, figures 1, 4 & 11
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