With colleges at 'imminent risk' of insolvency, Scotland's education crisis is becoming a national emergency
One college principal warns that urgent and fundamental reform is necessary ‘if the sector is going to survive’
After years of stressing – many would say over-emphasising – the importance of a university education, it felt like politicians had belatedly woken up to the vital role played by colleges in producing the workforce of the future.
However, a horrifying new report suggests this may have come too late, for some at least. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) warns that most colleges are “not financially sustainable” with some at “imminent risk” of insolvency.
Eleven institutions expect an operating deficit this year, with the total figure expect too grow from £8.3 million this year to £31.9m in 2028-29. The “large savings” that could be required would “significantly affect curriculum delivery, student numbers, quality of teaching, staff numbers and morale, local communities and regional economic growth”, the report added.
Audrey Cumberford, the principal of Edinburgh College, described the situation as “dire”, even saying that urgent and fundamental reform was necessary “if the sector is going to survive”.
Universities and schools also in trouble
As for universities, a separate SFC report warns they “continue to face significant financial challenges”, with ten predicting operating deficits this year. And this number could increase “if planned international student tuition fees are not achieved” – yet another example of not only why this country needs immigrants but should welcome them with open arms.
Education is the fundamental foundation stone of any economy. And, for a long time, one of the attractions of investing in this country has been our highly skilled and well-educated workforce.
However, for years, Scotland’s schools have been sliding down international league tables and our colleges and universities are being now forced to make massive cuts simply to survive. If this process continues, it is hard to see how Scotland’s lacklustre economy will not enter a period of profound and long-term decline.
This really, really matters, and no amount of excuses, blame-shifting and other assorted waffle from SNP ministers changes this.
Even as they look for ways to fill the looming £5 billion gap in the government’s finances, they need to get an urgent grip on the situation and find ways to prevent this growing crisis from becoming a full-blown national emergency.
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