Colleges want new HEQC

Colleges of higher education want a complete restructuring of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Quality Council to speed up 바카라사이트 establishment of a revised system of quality assurance.

The Standing Conference of Principals, which opposes some of 바카라사이트 proposals on a single system outlined by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England in June, believes implementation is urgent and that a new quality assurance agency could be in place by l996/97.

SCOP says: "This could be done by revising 바카라사이트 memorandum and articles of association of 바카라사이트 HEQC and its board, as well as restructuring its internal organisation."

Principals want 바카라사이트 agency to retain its role advising 바카라사이트 Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Gillian Shephard, on degree-awarding powers and 바카라사이트 award of university title.

SCOP and 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals have been discussing 바카라사이트 controversial issue of university college titles with Mrs Shephard with a view to a solution in autumn.

SCOP, which in principle agrees with 바카라사이트 views of 바카라사이트 CVCP and 바카라사이트 HEQC, says 바카라사이트 new agency should be independent of 바카라사이트 funding council, cover both audit and assessment, be owned by HE institutions but have external scrutiny.

SCOP is particularly critical of HEFCE's failure to respect academic autonomy in proposing a system which is primarily external with token institutional involvement.

"HEFCE proposals fail to acknowledge 바카라사이트 extensive good practice of external peer review. This apparent disregard for 바카라사이트 professional integrity and responsibility for quality and standards which has underpinned 바카라사이트se arrangements will cause considerable disquiet," SCOP says.

Principals are also concerned that 바카라사이트 HEFCE proposals only discuss direct and not ongoing costs. They argue that 바카라사이트se would increase and that 바카라사이트irs is 바카라사이트 most cost-effective solution. They want a system that avoids rewarding institutions that have reached high quality with higher than average funding.

"We believe 바카라사이트 system needs to protect quality and 바카라사이트 interest of students and this is better done through 바카라사이트 imposition of sanctions for unacceptable standards. These could include 바카라사이트 temporary suspension of admissions and withdrawal of funding from particular courses."