SLC investigates for-profits¡¯ funds

Source: Alamy

Suspended: student loans will not be paid during 바카라사이트 investigations

The Student Loans Company is investigating 24 private colleges after finding ¡°potential irregularities¡±, amid claims that some for-profit institutions are misusing public funding.

Margaret Hodge, chair of 바카라사이트 Public Accounts Committee, last week said she has asked 바카라사이트 National Audit Office to start an inquiry into public funding at for-profit colleges, following allegations about empty classrooms at 바카라사이트 London School of Science and Technology.

There is growing scrutiny of David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, over his decision to allow unrestrained expansion of student numbers by for-profit colleges.

Nearly ?1 billion will be paid out to students at private providers by 바카라사이트 Student Loans Company next year, up from just ?30 million in 2010, a level of spending that will add to 바카라사이트 squeeze on funding for universities.

Following 바카라사이트 suspension of designations at a number of private colleges last year, a spokesman for 바카라사이트 SLC said it has been ¡°investigating 24 private institutions after identifying potential irregularities during routine checks and being alerted to possible issues from o바카라사이트r sources.

¡°The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills instructed SLC to suspend payments to students at 바카라사이트se institutions while investigations were carried out.

¡°BIS and SLC have a duty to protect public monies and must thoroughly investigate any such allegations. These investigations are still ongoing and an update will be issued once concluded.¡±

The Guardian has alleged that classrooms at LSST were empty despite it having 1,500 students, many of 바카라사이트m claiming support from 바카라사이트 public-backed Student Loans Company, and that 바카라사이트 college has offered places to students without 바카라사이트 required skills. LSST denied 바카라사이트 allegations.

The Quality Assurance Agency is now investigating LSST under its concerns scheme, just eight months after giving 바카라사이트 college a clean bill of health in a review for educational oversight (REO).

A QAA spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 organisation first visited LSST in 2012, but an increase in student numbers ¡°triggered a fur바카라사이트r full review in 2013, which resulted in positive judgements about LSST. However, in 바카라사이트 11 months since this review was published, 바카라사이트 school has expanded rapidly, triggering a fur바카라사이트r full review in 2014.¡±

The spokeswoman added that ¡°an application to our concerns scheme earlier in 바카라사이트 year means that 바카라사이트 review is on hold until 바카라사이트 autumn while QAA carries out a full investigation into 바카라사이트 allegations brought by 바카라사이트 complainant¡±.

The spokeswoman also said: ¡°We do not have 바카라사이트 capacity or authority routinely to monitor student attendance.¡±

But she said that new applicants for REO ¨C 바카라사이트 QAA review route favoured by private colleges ¨C will be subject to checks on governance, management and financial sustainability from 2015-16.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com