14 February 2006

NATFHE backs NUS Loud and Clear campaign

Lecturers’ union NATFHE has given its backing to the National Union of Students’ call for learners in further education to have a greater say in shaping their education.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 15), as part of its ‘Loud and Clear’ campaign, the NUS will hold a lobby of parliament so that students can ask MPs to support their campaign for better learner representation in colleges.

Research by the NUS has found that a significant number of further education colleges don’t have a students’ union or student governors – both vital mechanisms which enable learners to express opinions and feedback on their education experiences.

In his review of further education published last November, Sir Andrew Foster recognised that the lack of a voice for FE learners was a problem and called for it to be addressed.

At the lobby, Barry Lovejoy, NATFHE’s head of colleges, will say:

‘NATFHE give its full support for this campaign to ensure a voice for further education students. The best colleges have always listened to learners’ views and used them to improve the quality of education. Like the NUS, we welcomed Foster’s recommendations on the learner voice and want to see them implemented in full.

‘The obstacle to this is funding - an issue that Foster was virtually silent on. Further education must move away from the feast and famine funding regime which has bedevilled the system. We welcome the injection of funds over the past four years which have prevented meltdown but we are still seeing redundancies and course cuts. We must have a level of certainty around core elements of the system including student representation structures.’

‘The Association of Colleges, government and trade unions should work together to ensure that the learner voice is amplified.’

Notes for Editors

• Contacts
NATFHE Press Officer, Vicky Wilks: 020-7520 3207/07970-383995
NUS Press Officer, Liz Hutchinson: 020-7380 6604

• Students will meet at Westminster Kingsway College on Wednesday 15 February at 10.30am before going to the House of Commons to attend the NUS Lobby from 1.30-3.30pm.

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