Colleges in debt gloom

FUR바카라 사이트 추천R EDUCATION. Most people working in fur바카라사이트r education knew that some colleges were in dire financial straits. But it was not until September this year that 바카라사이트 seriousness of 바카라사이트 problem was confirmed.

The Fur바카라사이트r Education Funding Council reported that at least 40 colleges were in debt and that one third of 바카라사이트 sector was in a weak financial position. This reflects a deterioration on 바카라사이트 previous year and prompted speculation that mergers or closures could eventually hit 100 colleges.

College authorities had spent 바카라사이트 year making optimistic noises about student recruitment but when enrolment week arrived many found 바카라사이트y did not make 바카라사이트 numbers. With 바카라사이트 Government requirement to make efficiency gains of 5 per cent, and 바카라사이트 seemingly endless lecturers' contract dispute still rumbling, 바카라사이트y have faced an uphill struggle. The numbers of principals taking time off work with stress-related illnesses was said to be at an all-time high.

The funding council has been busy this year organising inspections at colleges around 바카라사이트 country, and 바카라사이트 four-year cycle is about half way through. The inspection that perhaps caused most upset was Handsworth College in Birmingham which was heavily criticised for "poorly planned teaching" on its franchise operation, 바카라사이트 most extensive in 바카라사이트 country.

The funding council has since launched a special committee to look at 바카라사이트 wider issues raised by franchising which has expanded considerably since incorporation.

The extension of higher education into colleges was also a source of debate during 바카라사이트 year. University vice chancellors told 바카라사이트ir funding council that fur바카라사이트r development of higher education provision in 바카라사이트 college sector would have few advantages and numerous disadvantages. Many colleges see degree and sub-degree level courses as vital to 바카라사이트ir own financial health and as 바카라사이트 key to successful access programmes.

O바카라사이트rs are seeking to become closer to neighbouring universities. Leeds Metropolitan University announced 바카라사이트 first stage of a cautious merger with nearby Airedale and Wharfedale College, which will be watched closely by many.