THE SNP's policy of free higher education in Scotland has been praised by the country's Commissioner for Fair Access.
Writing in The National's sister paper, The Herald, Professor Sir Peter Scott said a rise in the number of poor students at university proved the policy is "vindicated".
Sir Scott then issued a warning over the charging of tuition fees of more than £9000 in England, describing the “collapsing” system there.
Sir Scott spoke as it was revealed last week that record numbers of students from Scotland’s poorest backgrounds have secured a place at university.
Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed 15.6% of entrants to Scottish universities in 2017/18 were from the most deprived areas.
The Scottish Government has set a target for the sector of having 16% by 2021 and 20% by 2030.
Sir Scott said: “What makes the latest figures particularly encouraging is that they follow three years when there was little improvement in the proportion of full-time first degree students from the most deprived areas.
“This led some critics of the Government’s red-line policy of free higher education to argue that England was doing more for fair access despite charging students high fees.
“The latest figures vindicate Scotland’s policy of free higher education, which of course has other aims apart from making universities more socially inclusive - not least the commitment that higher education should be seen as a public good from which society as a whole benefits.”
Sir Scott said the English policy of “high fees, mitigated by bursaries for poorer students”, was now collapsing.
He added: “It is so expensive, not just for students who graduate with tens of thousands of pounds of debt, but also for taxpayers who have to fund student loans in the first place, many of which will never be paid back.”
Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead also praised the SNP's policy.
He said: “I’m pleased to see more Scots going to university and a record increase from our most deprived areas.”
“This shows demonstrable progress towards giving every young person in Scotland an equal chance of success, no matter their background.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel