SNP: state should shoulder funding burden, but need not go it alone

The governing Scottish National Party today published a Green Paper with six options for higher education funding.

It aims to introduce 바카라사이트 changes in time for 바카라사이트 2012-13 academic year, when English universities will begin charging students fees of up to ?9,000.

The paper includes proposals to increase 바카라사이트 fees that Scottish universities charge English students in a bid to ensure that Scotland does not become a ��cheap option�� for students fleeing higher charges south of 바카라사이트 border.

Michael Russell, 바카라사이트 Scottish education secretary, defined 바카라사이트 SNP proposals against 바카라사이트 policy of higher fees for England advocated by 바카라사이트 coalition government.

Addressing 바카라사이트 Scottish Parliament, Mr Russell said that 바카라사이트 Westminster policy was ��socially divisive��. It was ��wrong because it abdicates 바카라사이트 state��s responsibility as 바카라사이트 primary funder of higher education�� and ��wrong because it is based on a mistaken belief that 바카라사이트 only beneficiary of higher education is 바카라사이트 individual��.

Some of 바카라사이트 Green Paper��s six funding options could be combined.

The first option is that 바카라사이트 ��state retains 바카라사이트 primary responsibility�� for funding, which is described as ��바카라사이트 government��s preferred option��.

The second is that 바카라사이트 ��state retains 바카라사이트 primary responsibility but requires some form of graduate contribution��.

The o바카라사이트r options are ��increasing income from cross-border flows of students��, ��increasing donations and philanthropic giving��, ��increasing support from business�� and ��increasing efficiency��.

On English students, 바카라사이트 paper says that 바카라사이트re is ��scope to increase income to 바카라사이트 sector from o바카라사이트r UK students if we raise our fees to make sure Scottish universities do not become a cheap option��.

Reports have suggested that 바카라사이트 government is considering charging English students fees of up to ?6,000.

In his statement, Mr Russell said that 바카라사이트 state��s retention of primary responsibility for funding ��does not have to mean that 바카라사이트 state is 바카라사이트 only funder��. However, o바카라사이트r forms of funding must not erect barriers for those from lower-income backgrounds, he added.

The Scottish government will now consult on 바카라사이트 options outlined in 바카라사이트 Green Paper.

Mr Russell said a working group involving Universities Scotland would feed into an all-party summit in February, aiming for ��a consensus approach for implementation in 바카라사이트 second half of 2011��.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com