Question reference: S5W-34447
- Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 8 January 2021
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Richard Lochhead on 8 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the staggered return of college and university students in Semester 2.
Answer
Given the current prevalence of the virus, and in light of the restrictions now in place to help control the spread of the new variant of COVID-19, learning will be online-only throughout January and February for the vast majority of university students. There will be some exceptions: where critical learning cannot be delivered remotely; for a very small number of students who have remained in student accommodation over the winter break; or for student wellbeing reasons.
The vast majority of university students are not therefore not expected to return to campuses and student accommodation until the start of March, as advised by their university.
Colleges must continue to follow the rules that apply to their own area’s protection level guidance. In level 4, that means learning and teaching will be predominantly online with exceptions only for the delivery of critical and time-sensitive learning, assessments and work placements that cannot be delivered remotely or postponed. The number of students attending colleges should be kept at the absolute essential minimum.