Higher Education: Part-Time Students

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Quirk

Wednesday 11th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

As I said, we accept that the fall in part-time student numbers is concerning and that is why we are taking a range of measures. I will not repeat them because I know that noble Lords want me to be brief. However, we understand the concerns and are taking action. We consider the FE sector to be extremely important.

[Lord Quirk (CB)]

Is the Minister aware that, this very week, the vice-chancellor of the Open University has called for the restoration of module courses to qualify for loans for part-time students? He says that module courses are the best and most effective way of upskilling people, for the benefit not merely of the individual but of industry itself.

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

We have decided as a Government that we want to focus the resources that we have in a time when money is tight. We believe that it is best value for money to focus resources on those people undertaking and gaining a qualification. That is where our priority and funding have been.