This morning, the latest stage in the reform of Scotland’s further education system was completed with the creation of four new “super colleges”. The four have been created out of the merger of 11 existing colleges in an effort promoted by the Scottish Government both to save money and to cut out duplication.
The Jewel & Esk Campus of Edinburgh College
Last year, the new Edinburgh College was created from the merger of Jewel and Esk, Telford and Stevenson Colleges. The latest round of mergers predominantly affects the west of the country with the creation of Glasgow Clyde College, Ayrshire College and West College Scotland. On the other side of the country, Fife College replaces the further education colleges in the Kingdom. Another four mergers are expected to take place in the autumn.
The Education Secretary, Mike Russell, described it as an exciting time. “These changes build on colleges’ strong record in the sector’s pivotal role in delivering the Opportunities for All, pledge to offer all 16 to 19-year-olds a place in education or training. The launch of the new colleges will play a central part in the Scottish Government’s efforts to take education in this country from good to great.”
Mike Russell
Education Secretary
As in Edinburgh, there have been concerns expressed about the way the mergers have taken place. Some fear that a number of students may have to travel further for their studies, especially if the mergers mean that certain campuses become centres for excellence in certain subjects. There are also some worries about implications for staff for similar reasons.
However, the Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, John Henderson believes that the latest move is “an important milestone”. He believes that the mergers provide an opportunity for colleges to be even more responsive to the needs of students. “Colleges will play an even greater role in strategic partnerships,” he said, “in contributing to Scotland’s future prosperity.”
According to the Principal of the new Glasgow Clyde College, Susan Walsh, the new organisation had “already benefited from the great people who work here and the many supporters we have outside who have helped us achieve our merger so successfully. We have a proud tradition of excellence in education to maintain,” she added, “and I know we have the skills, expertise and commitment not to let ourselves, our students or our predecessor colleges down.
“We are innovative, creative and professional and most of all we focus on what we need to do to get it right for our students. This is the start of something inspirational and aspirational, a place people want to be part of. From now on being ‘Clyde built’ means something new, and something very special.”
The four colleges still to merge include two in Lanarkshire, three in Glasgow, and two each in the North East of Scotland and Angus.
A number of people working within Scotland’s Higher Educations sector are watching what is happening with the Further Education Colleges with more than a little interest. Several have already expressed concerns that they may be next on the Scottish Government’s list of reforms. As one senior academic put it recently: Scotland is a small country. Can it really justify having 14 universities? Are we the next in line for mergers?