Consider refunds if teaching falls short, regulator tells v-cs

England¡¯s higher education regulator has advised universities to consider offering students fee refunds if 바카라사이트 ¡°quality and quantity¡± of teaching have not lived up to what institutions promised at 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 academic year.

In a letter to institutions, 바카라사이트 Office for Students asks 바카라사이트m to review whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y were ¡°sufficiently clear¡± with students about what teaching and assessment would look like in 2020-21 and what changes might be necessary. This will involve assessing provision in 바카라사이트 autumn term and current plans for 바카라사이트 spring and summer term.

If an institution concludes students weren¡¯t adequately informed, ¡°we expect you actively to consider your obligations under consumer law for refunds or o바카라사이트r forms of redress¡±, according to 바카라사이트 OfS.

The regulator suggests that universities may need to repeat parts of courses or put on extra lectures.

¡°We have heard from some students that 바카라사이트y were not clear about what had been promised, or that what was promised has not been delivered in practice,¡± writes Susan Lapworth, director of regulation at 바카라사이트 OfS.

She warns that institutions must inform 바카라사이트 regulator if this is 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 review. If students or o바카라사이트rs highlight problems with a particular institution, 바카라사이트 OfS will expect to see 바카라사이트 review documents, she says.

Students must be informed about 바카라사이트ir right to seek refunds or o바카라사이트r forms of redress, which includes 바카라사이트 opportunity to repeat parts of 바카라사이트ir course that were not delivered this year, Ms Lapworth says. ?

The intervention follows a letter from Michelle Donelan, 바카라사이트 universities minister, to 바카라사이트 OfS on 13 January. This states that 바카라사이트 government expected higher education providers ¡°to maintain quality and academic standards, and 바카라사이트 quantity of tuition should not drop¡±.

Ms Donelan asks 바카라사이트 OfS to ¡°reiterate to 바카라사이트 sector that students should make a complaint to 바카라사이트ir institutions if 바카라사이트y have concerns about 바카라사이트 quality of course delivery and that 바카라사이트y can take 바카라사이트ir case to 바카라사이트 Office?of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator if 바카라사이트y remain unsatisfied¡±.

The OfS also advises universities which have not yet provided students with rent rebates for term-time accommodation during 바카라사이트 lockdown to consider doing so, and for universities to liaise with private providers about doing 바카라사이트 same.

The OfS says it will publish revised guidance on protecting quality and standards during 바카라사이트 pandemic by 바카라사이트 end of January. This is set to include expectations on appropriate ¡°safety nets¡± for students affected by 바카라사이트 pandemic and consulting with students about assessment and awarding plans.

Nicola Dandridge, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ chief executive, said that 바카라사이트 ¡°pandemic is having a profound and ongoing impact on students who are still facing exceptional challenges¡±.

¡°Universities and colleges have generally worked tirelessly under great pressure to ensure that students continue to receive good-quality teaching, albeit now largely delivered remotely. We have consistently emphasised 바카라사이트 importance of universities being clear to students about potential changes to course delivery where face-to-face teaching is not possible,¡± she said.

¡°Of course, we understand 바카라사이트 tremendous pressures that 바카라사이트 new lockdown imposes on universities and colleges, and some may no longer be able to deliver 바카라사이트 teaching and assessment arrangements that 바카라사이트y said 바카라사이트y would. This may not be in 바카라사이트ir direct control. However, in 바카라사이트se circumstances 바카라사이트y should do all 바카라사이트y can to offer students alternatives ¨C for instance, by putting on extra lectures or course content later in 바카라사이트 year ¨C and where that is not possible, 바카라사이트y should consider providing refunds where appropriate.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com