GRILLED: The panel which students at Cardonald college got to question on the upcoming college merger.
By David Cuthbertson
An MSP was grilled recently during a heated student debate about Scottish government reforms – and accused of neglecting further education.
During the debate at Cardonald College Glasgow, George Adam, MSP for Paisley, was quizzed about college education reforms for 16-24 year olds and the options available to mature students. One student leader stressed the importance of further education in an unstable job market.
Julie Henderson, the student engagement representative for Cardonald College Glasgow, said: “If I had not returned to further education, I would have been made redundant from work. Where would I have been? I can’t believe the SNP say ‘we’re good for education, we’re investing in higher education’, but it’s at the expense of further education. Why should we be held back?”
Adam responded: “We have to work with the colleges in helping older people get back into education,” but returned to prioritising education for school leavers. He continued: “When I’m making a decision, I’m thinking of my own family. My own daughter is a teenager going through the system.”
The SNP politician had joined college staff and students from three merging further education institutions for the debate. Cardonald, Anniesland and Langside colleges are due to unite as Glasgow Clyde College in August.
Adam said there was a finite budget for further education caused by cuts in the money given by Westminster. He added independence would give Scotland the financial autonomy to provide a better-resourced further education sector.
This claim sparked an angry response from students in the audience, with one shouting: “This is not a sales pitch for the SNP, and I protest that they are allowed to do this in front of students.”
Adam responded: “If you don’t want to see a future for Scotland then that’s unfortunate. Education is important to the Scottish government.”
Asked why Scotland’s overall education ranking appeared to be slipping as many school leavers are leaving with poor qualifications , he said it was only some of the nation’s universities that were affected.
Last October the University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University of St Andrew’s and University of Aberdeen all fell in the Times Higher Education World Rankings.
The Cardonald Courier 
Posted on March 21, 2013
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