About the Inquiry
The Education and Skills Committee has agreed to consider the Impact of Covid- 19 on the Further and Higher Education sector.
Timetable
The Committee will focus on the impact over the next few weeks.
Evidence
27 January 2021
The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science on the impact of Covid-19 on the return of students after the Christmas break.
You can view the meeting here.
The Committee received the following submissions ahead of the evidence session on 27 January
The Convener wrote to the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science following up on further information on certain issues. You can read the letter to and the response from the Minister below.
2020
15 May 2020
The Committee heard evidence from the Scottish Funding Council at it meeting on 15 May 2020 in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on the Further Education and Higher Education sector.
Read the meeting papers here
Read the official report here
A video of the meeting can be viewed here
20 May 2020
The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science on the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher Education sector.
Read the meeting papers for 20 May 2020
Read the Official report here
A video of the meeting can be viewed here.
29 May 2020
The Committee held two focus groups with Principals from Universities and Colleges and heard evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher Education sector.
2 September 2020
The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science on the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher Education sector.
You can view the video of the meeting here
Following on from the meeting on 2 September 2020 the Committee wrote to the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. You can read the letter and the response below
The convener wrote to the Scottish Funding Council regarding points raised in the meeting of 2 September. The letter and response from SFC can be read below.
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Committee to clarify ding college funding statistics.
18 November 2020
The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science and the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council on the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher Education sector and the funding of the sector.
You can view the video of the meeting here
Following on from the meeting on 18 November the Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science for clarification of issues raised during the evidence session.
The Committee also agreed to write to Universities Scotland regarding the current financial position of each university.
Following on from the response from Universities Scotland the Scottish Funding Council wrote to the Committee with a response on the current financial position.
Evidence November 2020
Evidence September 2020
Evidence May 2020
The Committee received the following submissions from the following the Scottish Government, organisations and trade unions
The NUS have carried out a survey with students on the effect of the coronavirus. A link to survey is here.
The Committee received a briefing paper in respect of the UK Government putting number controls on the amount of English students that can apply to Scottish Universities.
An additional briefing paper has been received from Universities Scotland on the role of Universities in Scotland's Recovery.
Correspondence
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Convener with an update on the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis in the college, university and community learning sectors.
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Convener on the actions the Scottish Government are taking to support students in Further (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Committee regarding an update on the Scottish Governments response to the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher education sector.
The Convener wrote to the |Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science and the Scottish Funding Council following the evidence sessions on 15 and 20 May 2020 in respect of funding issues for the further and higher education sectors,
The Convener also wrote to the Secretary of State for Education of the UK Government regarding the evidence the Committee has heard on the funding issues for the further and higher education sectors,
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Committee regarding an update on the Scottish Governments response to the impact of Covid-19 on the Further and Higher education sector.
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Committee regarding an update on the guidance for Universities and Colleges in students returning after the holidays.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to Convener regarding a delay in current Dental students graduations.
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to the Convener with an update on the reopening of Colleges and Universities to Students.
The Minister for Further Education Higher Education and Science wrote to the convener with an update on the work of the Learner Journey Task Force.