Tertiary Education (Report) (Hansard, 17 July 1986)

§ Mr. Rifkind

I have considered the advisory council's report with very great care, in the light of the views expressed during public consultations earlier this year, and have reached the following decisions.

The council notes that population trends will be of crucial importance to higher education policy-making for the 1990s and has no doubt about the basic demographic projections. I acknowledge its endorsement of the high variant of the projections published by the Scottish Education Department in November 1985 as a reasonable assessment of future demand for higher education, but accept that the projections should be regularly reviewed. I understand the concern expressed by the council and others about the possible effects of population trends on the supply of qualified manpower. The council's proposals in this regard require a response by higher education institutions as well as Government.

The Government note the council's recommendation that all reasonable steps should be taken to encourage greater participation in higher education, particularly from groups where participation is low. The Government stand by the principle of access to higher education for all those who have the motivation, maturity and intellectual competence to benefit from it; and its projections allow for a rise in participation. The report recognises that curriculum reforms at school level have a role to play in this. It is to be hoped that a stable settlement of salaries and conditions within the teaching profession will soon allow us to reap the full benefit of the advances which are being made.

I share the Council's view that recognition of the national certificate is a means by which access to higher education can be extended. The Government's commitment to the national certificate is firm and I ask those who are responsible for setting entry standards to higher education to heed the council's comments. I also urge higher education institutions and validating bodies to respond to the recommendation that formal arrangements for credit transfer should be extended, and to consider what can be done to reduce non-completion rates. This may require a careful examination of course content, methods of assessment and quality of teaching.

The council acknowledges the role of continuing education in maintaining the supply of qualified manpower and in updating skills. Its emphasis on post- 574W experience vocational education and the development of multi-institutional links to build on individual institutions' strengths is welcome. I accept the need for a focus for continuing education in the Scottish Education Department and have taken action accordingly. Responsibility for the co-ordination of continuing education policy is now focused in the division with general responsibility for vocational education. As a first step in the direction proposed by the council we have also established a Scottish scheme for professional, industrial and commercial updating—PICKUP— on a pilot basis in the current year. This was announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Slate responsible for industry and education on Tuesday 8 July 1986.

The taxpayer cannot however be expected to meet the costs of higher education for mature entrants or for those engaged in professional updating to the extent that is appropriate for young initial entrants, and the Government agree that more employers should meet the cost of fees. It is entirely appropriate that they should also provide support through sponsorship, as the council suggests, and in other ways. However, employers' responsibilities do not end there. If the higher education system is to respond to future economic requirements, industry, commerce and the professions must state their requirements; and the Government welcome the recommendation that they should co-operate more fully with higher education institutions in course design and delivery. Co-operation is a two-way process. Although there is some concern in academic circles about higher education becoming too closely linked with the short-term needs of industry and commerce, the Government share the council's belief that improved responsiveness to such needs is not incompatible with preserving a broadly based system.

An adequate response will require a sufficient supply of manpower with the qualifications to meet Future technological challenges. The council acknowledges the steps which the Government have taken in this regard through its "Switch to Technology" programmes in the universities and the Scottish central institutions. I have already assured the central institutions that the additional resources provided under "Switch" will be consolidated in their recurrent grant baselines after 1987–88.

The "Switch" programmes constitute substantial new investment in the higher education system; if that investment is to be repaid, an adequate supply of school leavers qualified for entry to technological courses is essential. The council recognises this and the Government will continue their efforts to bring this about. Reforms of the school curriculum in Scotland which aim to give all pupils the opportunity to study mathematics and science and to introduce more pupils to computing and other skills will proceed, and priority will continue to be given to the training of teachers of mathematics and physics. We are taking steps to improve technology teaching in schools by introducing new degree courses for prospective technology teachers. The first intakes to these new courses will be in Autumn 1987.

Curricular reforms must, however, be supported by changes in emphasis in the guidance given to school pupils. The careers advisory service has a most important role arid my hon. Friend has already announced the decision to reinforce the advice which is available through the 575W appointment in Scotland of a schools-engineering co-ordinator, who will be attached to the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) and funded by my Department. It will be the co-ordinator's task to work with others in improving the presentation of engineering and technology as a possible future career. The aim will be to create among schoolchildren, their parents and schools a greater awareness and understanding of the opportunities which such a career can offer. Emphasis will be given to providing encouragement for girls to enter technological careers.

Higher education institutions must also be able to recruit academic staff with the necessary technological qualifications. I have noted what the council has to say in that regard. However, industry has a part to play in alleviating some of the difficulties which arise. Staff exchanges with higher education institutions could ease pressure in key areas and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for industry and education wrote earlier this year to a number of companies in Scotland to seek their support for such cooperation. Some have responded positively and I hope that all will give close attention to the council's remarks.

It is my belief that responsiveness to economic needs is not incompatible with preserving a broadly based tradition in higher education. Consultations have shown that there is wide support for the recommendation that a full range of academic subjects should continue to be offered in Scotland's higher education system. The strength of that support is acknowledged. The Government reaffirm the value which they attach to the arts and humanities as well as to technological and related disciplines. However, the council does not propose that every educational establishment must offer every possible academic course; the preservation of a broadly based tradition need not preclude rationalisation. Nor should it mean that specialisation by institutions, where appropriate, is to be discouraged. Attention must be paid to this if resources are to be released for desirable developments.

The council recommends the provision of additional funding for applied research in the central institutions and for research in education in the colleges of education. The Government note that it does not suggest that the central institutions should match the universities in fundamental research. However, if the findings of research are to be transferred effectively into industrial products and processes, support for the applied and developmental stages may be required. Industry should itself contribute significantly to this, but there is no doubt a place for funding by Government. I am therefore prepared to consider whether resources can be found from within the Scottish block for some additional applied research funding for the central institutions on a selective basis; but that will depend on other priorities and there can be no guarantee that money will be found. I shall also consider whether resources can be found to provide funding for a more secure foundation for educational research in the colleges of education.

The council envisages no radical change in the structure of higher education in Scotland. I welcome its support for the central institutions for their responsiveness to the requirements of employers, and I welcome also its encouragement of informal links and cooperation among institutions. I have paid much attention to the differing opinions about the recommendation that there should be 576W a feasibility study of a Scottish Institute of Technology —SIT. There is a sharp division of opinion not only among the central institutions at large, but also among those particular establishments which would be directly involved if a SIT were established. The principals of those establishments have collectively made it clear to me that their support for a SIT would be virtually conditional on its being given university status. Like the council, I do not regard university status for individual central institutions or groups of them to be a practical proposition in planning for the 1990s. Given the relative lack of enthusiasm for the SIT proposal among its potential members, I have therefore decided to reject the council's recommendation of a feasibility study. I am, however, prepared to consider, in consultation with the central institutions, what steps might be taken within the resources available to improve publicity for them collectively.

I am announcing separately today my decisions on the council's recommendations on the college of education sector and on future arrangements for the planning and funding of higher education in Scotland.