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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
‘The Hughes Report’: Lib Dem MP’s 33 recommendations to improve access to higher education
July 25, 2011 1:50 PM
• [Jul 24] Stephen Tall writes: LAST week saw the publication by Simon Hughes, the Government's advocate for higher education access, of his report for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on how more young people can be encouraged to apply for university. It's received little attention, perhaps understandably given the current frenetic news cycles - but it's a shame because the report is a serious piece of work . .
' . . Conclusions:
For much of the first six months of 2011 promoting further and higher education has been dogged by the controversies surrounding the replacement of the educational maintenance allowance and the new system for paying the tuition costs which will come into effect from 2012.
With the establishment of the Independent Task force on Student FinanceCommunication and the publication of the Higher Education White Paper I believe there is an opportunity now to move on. My report is intended to propose actions that can betaken, starting now, which will help set the agenda. Huge numbers of people and organisations who work in education, the careers services and organisations, the professions, the voluntary sector and in other ways with young people and adult learners are determined to communicate the benefits of training and education after school-leaving age.
It would be completely irresponsible for anybody, whatever their personal or political views, now to exaggerate the cost to future students or to misrepresent the facts in ways which put off the very people who need most encouragement to obtain further qualifications and experience of education. I believe that with sustained and enthusiastic efforts, particularly over the next sixth months until the closing date for applications for entry to university and other higher education institutions next year, the argument can be won and the messages communicated effectively the length and breadth of the country.
Modern media, social networking and imaginative outreach by universities and colleges all have their part to play. The will undoubtedly exists. There are many ways to achieve progress. There is a shared national interest for our universities and other higher education institutions to remain the best in the world. But there is an equally important interest in making sure that every single individual living in this country in the future begins at an early age to aspire to an apprenticeship or further or higher education, and not necessarily only once in their life.
Parents and teachers, and schools, colleges and universities all have their role to play. We all do. There are few greater collective responsibilities than encouraging the next generation, our neighbours and our fellow citizens to discover the great personal and wider benefits of education and training. We must make sure that no ivory tower or university campus should be a no-go area for anybody in this country in the future.'
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