Scottish students have condemned current suggestions of how best to address the shortcomings of the current funding system of Higher Education.

A response from the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland (CHESS) to the ‘Supporting a Smarter Scotland’ consultation comes after extensive discussion between CHESS, the National Union of Students Scotland, and various members of the Scottish Parliament. The response explains that all options presented in the consultation are insufficient to combat the failings of the current funding system.

CHESS, the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland, urged the Scottish government to focus their resources on tackling student hardship rather than graduate debt. They also call for the establishment of a minimum income guarantee that would ensure that students from all socio-economic backgrounds have sufficient financial support to attend University.

CHESS highlighted the ‘vicious circle’ students get stuck in when forced into excessive part-time work and reliance upon commercial credit to afford the essentials such as rent, utilities and food.  Not only can this deter students from entering Higher Education, it can also lead to students dropping out and not realising their full potential – both harmful to the Scottish economy.

Gavin Lee, CHESS Convenor said “Any increase in student funding is a positive step, but the consultation has not addressed any of the changes that are imperative to improving the current funding system.

"I don’t believe asking the Scottish Government to help students out of poverty is ‘politically ill-judged’ as Fiona Hyslop suggests.  Higher Education can be the bedrock of a strong, successful Scotland – but only if the Scottish Government wise up.

"Hyslop has shown contempt for the Higher Education sector, and has poured scorn on requests for students to be properly supported.  I’d like to see Fiona Hyslop survive on the £4,510 students are expected to live on each year.”

Click below to download the CHESS response in full.

Full CHESS response to the Smarter Scotland consultation
File Size:	142 kb
File Type:	pdf

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