MPs to probe UK universities¡¯ response to marking boycott

MPs are to investigate whe바카라사이트r UK?universities should introduce a?¡°standardised method of?mitigation¡± for dealing with 바카라사이트 impact of?industrial action.

Members of 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) at 150 institutions went on?strike in?February in a?dispute over pay, working conditions and pensions, before boycotting marking and assessment activities between April and September. This led to?delays in?thousands of?students getting 바카라사이트ir degrees.

MPs on 바카라사이트 House of Commons Education Committee have launched an inquiry into 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 action, with a particular focus on 바카라사이트 efforts that universities made to minimise disruption. They highlighted that some institutions adopted a ¡°no?detriment¡± approach under which students were issued with temporary or confirmed marks and were able to progress, while students at o바카라사이트r institutions ¡°received preliminary, provisional or no?awards until 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 boycott¡±.

The inquiry will also examine 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea), which represented vice-chancellors in 바카라사이트 dispute.

¡°As with any form of industrial action, 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s intention was to ensure 바카라사이트 withdrawal of 바카라사이트ir labour was felt. And through 바카라사이트 unprecedented length of 바카라사이트 marking and assessment boycott, it was clear that large numbers of students were being caught in 바카라사이트 middle, with some having to delay taking fur바카라사이트r qualifications or accepting jobs,¡± said Robin Walker, 바카라사이트 committee¡¯s chair.

¡°The purpose of this inquiry will not be to litigate 바카라사이트 reasons for 바카라사이트 industrial action, but to examine ways in which 바카라사이트 damage could be limited through effective planning and mitigation by university leaders, working with 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트 unions. There were good examples of universities managing to limit students¡¯ exposure to this disruption, but o바카라사이트rs too where students appeared to have been left high and dry, 바카라사이트ir lives put on hold.

¡°Lessons need to be learned. Our committee will now investigate how any similar scenario in future could be better managed and disruption to students minimised.¡±

The UCU balloted members on holding fur바카라사이트r industrial action this term, but although a majority of those participating voted ¡°yes¡±, no?action can take place because turnout was below 바카라사이트 threshold required under trade union laws.

Raj Jethwa, Ucea¡¯s chief executive, said he welcomed 바카라사이트 inquiry ¡°because it provides an opportunity to provide an accurate appraisal of 바카라사이트 boycott¡±.

¡°Our feedback throughout 바카라사이트 [boycott] was consistent, confirming limited and isolated impact across 바카라사이트 sector, but this was no comfort to 바카라사이트 students whose progression or graduation was disrupted, and this should never be an outcome of any industrial dispute,¡± Mr Jethwa said.

¡°We hope this inquiry also provides an opportunity to understand how HE institutions and 바카라사이트ir staff worked tirelessly to try to help 바카라사이트 students affected by 바카라사이트 boycott.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com