A LEADING pro-EU organisation has urged the Scottish Government to follow their counterparts in Wales and establish their own version of the Erasmus education exchange programme to right an act of “cultural vandalism”.
The UK Government has withdrawn from the Erasmus scheme after Brexit, meaning students will miss out on European exchanges, school links and work experience.
According to the European Movements in Scotland, the Turing Scheme that replaces it includes only a fraction of the benefits to students under the Erasmus+ programme.
Free tuition and travel expenses have been scrapped, except for the most disadvantaged students, and the cost-of-living allowance has been slashed by a fifth.
In addition, it said the Turing Scheme does not extend to apprentices and trainees, or to staff exchanges, and funding will also not be reciprocal, meaning international partner institutions will not be supported for any exchanges to the UK.
Around 2000 Scottish students and staff used Erasmus+ each year and now many will be denied the chance to study and travel in 27 other EU countries as the new scheme puts financial barriers in front of them.
In contrast, the European Movement said the Welsh Government had indicated its scheme would “support, as far as possible, the entire range of activities that have been available to learners in Wales” under Erasmus+.
Scotland attracts proportionally more Erasmus participants from across Europe – and sends more in the other direction – than any other country in the UK.
Although the Scottish Government had lobbied the EU for continued membership, its hopes were quashed last month by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who told MEPs that, as a “constituent nation” of the UK, Scotland could not re-join.
Students studying at institutions in Northern Ireland can take part in Erasmus thanks to an arrangement with the Irish government.
Mark Lazarowicz, chair of the European Movement in Scotland said: “The loss of Erasmus is an act of cultural vandalism and we would urge the Scottish Government to follow Wales and fill the immense gaps presented by the Turing Scheme. Erasmus brings different countries and nationalities together and generates such massive cultural and educational benefits. Its loss is a huge blow.
“It allowed many thousands of young people, no matter their background, to continue to improve their futures, their access to global opportunities, and their development as citizens of a connected world. Over 2000 Scottish students, staff and learners used the scheme each year.”
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