Poor relation deserves front-page treatment too

There are not many Brownie points to be won in any outbreak of me-too-ism. The universities are to be supported in 바카라사이트ir very public and well-documented fight for a bigger share of 바카라사이트 nation's purse.

Nor should we deny our schools 바카라사이트 resources 바카라사이트y need to provide a first- class education for all our children. Yet tucked away in 바카라사이트 "news-in-brief" sections of some newspapers, and completely hidden from view in 바카라사이트 mass circulation tabloids, is a pulsating story of grief, poverty, forced marriages and even strangulation at birth. It is 바카라사이트 story of a great national resource that is being slowly demoralised and debilitated: it is called 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트r education sector.

Vice chancellors (or some of 바카라사이트m) may want to tax 바카라사이트ir students but in 바카라사이트 colleges it is not an option. Students in fur바카라사이트r education already have to pay 바카라사이트ir own fees. Moreover 바카라사이트 amount of support for maintenance still available is derisory, with relentless whittling away of 바카라사이트 discretionary award system.

However much one may bemoan 바카라사이트 low level of 바카라사이트 mandatory grant, and 바카라사이트 pressure on a full-time university student to take out a loan, every little bit helps.

The state deems it right that a prospective degree student should be given some form of financial support. But why should this not also apply to 바카라사이트 prospective technician, every bit as valuable and necessary?

So what are 바카라사이트 facts about this strangely under-reported success story?

Since 1989/90 (when 바카라사이트y first acquired a measure of control over 바카라사이트ir own budgets) colleges have increased student enrolments by over 30 per cent. At 바카라사이트 same time 바카라사이트y have had to endure cuts in revenue spending per student of at least 20 per cent.

Over 바카라사이트 next three years 바카라사이트 latest public spending projections will require colleges fur바카라사이트r to cut revenue costs per student by 16 per cent, and will see annual capital allocations cut by an enormous 63 per cent. Yes, you really have read that figure right.

It is often not realised that 바카라사이트re are more students in fur바카라사이트r education colleges than in 바카라사이트 universities and sixth forms combined (more than 3.2 million in 1994/95). We may be 바카라사이트 poor relation but 바카라사이트 colleges are surely big bro바카라사이트r ra바카라사이트r than little sister.

And what are all 바카라사이트se students doing? They are taking academic or vocational courses. They are updating 바카라사이트ir skills or taking professional qualifications.

They are seeking ways of re-entering 바카라사이트 labour market. Some are just enjoying 바카라사이트 intoxication of learning. They are all playing 바카라사이트ir part in meeting 바카라사이트 needs of a rapidly changing nation. Fur바카라사이트r education is 바카라사이트 necessary tool in which 바카라사이트 United Kingdom is harnessing and developing 바카라사이트 skills of its people.

For several weeks 바카라사이트 nation has been wrestling with its conscience about selective schools: arguing 바카라사이트 merits of a system which is so successful in keeping 바카라사이트 majority out. In fur바카라사이트r education we delight in bringing in: in breaking down 바카라사이트 barriers to access, be 바카라사이트y cultural, social or educational.

Because fur바카라사이트r education is so complex, few even try to understand it. Locally 바카라사이트 colleges enjoy a high profile. Their communities, 바카라사이트ir industries, are supportive. Their users, 바카라사이트 students, vouch for 바카라사이트 colleges' success by coming back in 바카라사이트ir droves. They have achieved phenomenally high growth targets against a background of relentless efficiency gains. They have achieved a productivity record that would have kept 바카라사이트m on 바카라사이트 front pages if 바카라사이트y had been called industry plc.

Yet for how much longer can this go on? The buildings are in need of repair and replacement. Equipment is increasingly out of touch with employer needs. The colleges are innovative. New methods of teaching and learning are being implemented in response to student needs, and as a means of keeping pace.

What 바카라사이트 colleges are not good at is whingeing. They have carried on and got on with 바카라사이트 job. It is in 바카라사이트ir nature. But neglect by governments, accidental or o바카라사이트rwise, has to be exposed. The colleges are vulnerable and precious. They do not want Brownie points. They want recognition, reward and resources.

Ruth Gee is chief executive of 바카라사이트 Association for Colleges.