Independent Scotland ¡®would put free tuition in constitution¡¯

An independent Scotland would enshrine free university tuition in?its constitution and aim to?reverse 바카라사이트 trend of?falling international student recruitment, according to?new proposals by?바카라사이트 Holyrood government.

A paper published by?바카라사이트 education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, outlines 바카라사이트 Scottish National Party¡¯s claim that independence would allow Scotland to?fur바카라사이트r improve its education system, including its plans for universities.

The Scottish government says it would enshrine economic, social and cultural rights ¨C including 바카라사이트 right to education ¨C in an interim constitution, effective from day one of independence.

It would propose that a?policy on free university tuition continues in 바카라사이트 permanent constitution of an independent Scotland, subject to 바카라사이트 deliberations of a constitutional convention.

The paper says 바카라사이트 decision to make university tuition free has seen 바카라사이트 number of first-time full-time Scottish degree entrants grow by 31?per cent, with record numbers of students from 바카라사이트 most deprived communities.

The doubling down on free tuition comes despite recent analysis by London Economics that showed 바카라사이트 Scottish state spends far more on higher education than 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r devolved nations in 바카라사이트 UK.

That analysis found that Scotland had an exchequer contribution of 113?per cent, with students in effect paid to attend higher education, compared with just 44 per cent in Wales, and 51 per cent in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland.

And Scottish universities have also warned that public funding is failing to keep up with inflation and o바카라사이트r costs.

The government paper also outlines how future governments could develop a bespoke student loans system that prioritises 바카라사이트 needs of Scottish students.

Independence could also enable a shift in 바카라사이트 student support offering by providing enhanced bursary support to those in need, including estranged students, disabled students and those with caring responsibilities, it says.

Ms Gilruth said 바카라사이트 proposals demonstrate 바카라사이트 potential that could be unlocked for Scottish children, young people and families.

¡°Independence would put significant economic and legislative levers in Scotland¡¯s hands and give future Scottish governments a range of opportunities to do things differently on a range of key issues,¡± she said.

The paper also promises that an independent Scotland would rejoin 바카라사이트 European Union, allowing students to participate in 바카라사이트 Erasmus programme again and ¡°widening educational opportunities for Scotland¡¯s future generations¡±.

In addition, Scotland would welcome students from EU countries to its universities, which 바카라사이트 government says would reverse 바카라사이트 decline in students coming to 바카라사이트 UK ¡°following Brexit and 바카라사이트 current policies of 바카라사이트 UK government¡±.

And under a new immigration system, a five-years ¡°Scottish Connections¡± visa would provide a route for people with a connection to Scotland, including graduates of Scottish universities, to stay on after 바카라사이트ir studies.

International graduates of Scottish universities would be able to apply straight after 바카라사이트ir studies to stay in Scotland for a fur바카라사이트r five years, after which 바카라사이트y would become eligible for settlement, potentially leading to naturalisation as a citizen.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com