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11/09/2012
SDLP Questions Low Number Of FE Places Being Offered
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has questioned the low number of Foundation degree places being offered at Further Education (FE) colleges by the Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry.
Mr Byrne said: "Today the Minister launched 'Access to Success', a new integrated regional strategy which sets out his attempts to widen participation in higher education. He is proposing to increase the number of learners studying full-time or part time for a Foundation degree to 2,500 in 2015 from a baseline of 1132 in 2010.
"The less than ambitious effort by the Minister puts those in provincial areas such as Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen at a distinct disadvantage. In short the Minister is putting barriers up to educational development particularly for female adult learners who want to study part-time.
"If the Minister wanted to ensure wider participation in higher education he has in fact failed those who want to have access to Foundation degrees at FE colleges. His statement is a feeble attempt to widen availability for aspiring students. The Minister’s proposals mean that FE colleges are the Cinderella part of Higher Education."
(CD)
Mr Byrne said: "Today the Minister launched 'Access to Success', a new integrated regional strategy which sets out his attempts to widen participation in higher education. He is proposing to increase the number of learners studying full-time or part time for a Foundation degree to 2,500 in 2015 from a baseline of 1132 in 2010.
"The less than ambitious effort by the Minister puts those in provincial areas such as Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen at a distinct disadvantage. In short the Minister is putting barriers up to educational development particularly for female adult learners who want to study part-time.
"If the Minister wanted to ensure wider participation in higher education he has in fact failed those who want to have access to Foundation degrees at FE colleges. His statement is a feeble attempt to widen availability for aspiring students. The Minister’s proposals mean that FE colleges are the Cinderella part of Higher Education."
(CD)
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