This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Students in Higher Education
13/06/2002
Breaking down the barriers of access has resulted in
more than 50% of young people in Scotland participating in
Higher Education, Lifelong Learning Minister Iain Gray said
today.
He was commenting on the publication of the Age
Particpation Index, part of a
National Statistics publication on students in higher
education in 2000-01, which reveals participation in HE
by under 21s has risen from 47.2% in 1999-00 to 50.4%.
Overall, the number of students on higher education
courses in Scottish institutions rose by 1.4% to almost
263,000 in 2000-01, due largely to an increase in entrants
to full-time undergraduate courses.
Mr Gray said:
"I am delighted that over 50% of young people in
Scotland will now participate in higher education. This
achievement reflects the excellent work being done by
schools, colleges and universities in raising the
aspirations of young people in Scotland and breaking down
barriers to access. Getting more students into HE is an
important part of bridging the opportunity gap and building
a Smart, Successful Scotland.
"A major contribution to our improved performance is the
provision of Higher National qualifications in our further
education colleges. This accounts for over a quarter of HE
provision in Scotland and provides recognised vocational
qualifications valued by both students and employers. It
can also provide a route to degree-level education for
those who want to continue ."
"While this is an important milestone, we must not be
complacent. We must continue to work to reduce the
opportunity gap for Scotland's young people, helping most
those with the least. Schools, colleges and universities
need to work together with Government to deliver on our
commitment to widen access."
The Minister added:
"We need to ensure that the diverse needs of the learner
are at the heart of what we do. We need to recognise and
remove any cultural barriers within our institutions. And
we need to encourage wider access, making it part of the
core business of what institutions do, and something which
all staff are working towards."
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) currently
has a target that 50% of under 30s will participate in
higher education by 2010. DfES have calculated this Initial
Entry Rate (IER) at 40% for England on 1999-00 figures.
DfES are also currently working on a UK wide figure.
The Executive's second public consultation paper on the
Review of Higher Education in Scotland entitled Shaping our
Future was published on 26 April 2002.