Students and trade unions call for action on education ‘crisis’

Students and trade unions have written an open letter urging the Scottish Government to take action to fix the “crisis” in Scotland’s education system.

They warned that the country’s higher and further education sectors “teeter on the edge of collapse” and called for immediate structural change.

The letter to Scotland’s minister for higher and further education Graeme Dey MSP has been written by NUS Scotland president Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan and is signed by representatives from the STUC, Unite the Union, EIS, UCU and Unison.

They say that the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, which was published at Holyrood in February, is a critical opportunity to reshape the future of post-16 education in Scotland and demand to be at the heart of shaping it.

It comes as some Scottish universities are coming under financial pressure from rising costs and reduced income from international students.

The letter says that the country’s institutions have been forced to rely on “precarious international student fees” for too long and calls for a sustainable funding model.

Ms Viswanathan said: “The Scottish Government must use the opportunities ahead to address the serious crises being faced by both universities and colleges across Scotland, which are a result of systemic underfunding.

“The livelihoods of dedicated educators, researchers, and support workers are being put at risk and students are paying the price, with learning conditions deteriorating and support services being slashed.

“This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet – it is about people’s futures, their jobs, their education, and their lives.

“It is about Scotland’s ability to be a world leader in education.

“It is about whether we believe in an accessible, high-quality, well-funded education system or whether we are content to let it collapse in front of us.

“We refuse to let our universities and colleges be decimated by inaction and political neglect.

“Education is the backbone of our society. Without it, we all suffer.”

The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill aims to simplify the funding system for both college and university students and apprentices.

The letter comes as the Scottish Government prepares to announce its 2025 Programme for Government next week.

Edinburgh University is one of those which has been facing financial difficulties.

The institution announced earlier this year that it would have to cut £140 million from its budget to plug a black hole, with job cuts likely.

Principal professor Sir Peter Mathieson last month announced that the university’s voluntary severance scheme had concluded and around 350 staff had opted for voluntary redundancy.

Staff at the institution are being balloted over strike action.

Elsewhere staff at the University of Dundee have backed industrial action after the employer said there could be up to 700 redundancies as it struggles to deal with a £35 million deficit.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As a result of our resolute commitment to free tuition, we are seeing record levels of Scots securing a university place in Scotland.

“Scotland’s student debt levels are also the lowest in the UK, almost three times lower than in England.”

The spokesperson added: “Scotland’s colleges and universities make an enormous contribution to our economy, culture and wider society.

“We are continuing to invest over £2 billion in the post-school sector this year and we continue to provide the most generous student support in the UK

“The university sector is aware we are open to exploring the future funding model of universities but we are clear that this Government will not reintroduce tuition fees. Access to higher education must be based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.

“Broader financial pressures facing the sector remain, including the UK Government’s migration policies, employee National Insurance Contributions, and inflationary pressures.”