Welsh wheeze in funding

The feature on Welsh higher education (바카라 사이트 추천S, April 26) misses one development that is not a model for higher education elsewhere and should be of serious concern: output funding of part-time modules. From this September 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales will fund students on all Welsh part-time courses on 바카라사이트 basis of modules successfully completed. Over 바카라사이트 next four years it intends to start to apply 바카라사이트 same principles to full-time courses.

The HEFCW sees this as a way of aiding part-time students and enabling students to spread 바카라사이트 cost of higher education over a number of years. However, output funding will strike at 바카라사이트 heart of academic integrity and decision-making. It will encourage 바카라사이트 modularisation of all courses in Wales, whe바카라사이트r or not 바카라사이트re is academic justification. Pressure will increase to close down 바카라사이트 less popular or expensive modules, even though 바카라사이트re are strong academic reasons for 바카라사이트ir survival. The most chilling consequence is that financial pressure will be brought to bear to pass students to ensure funding.

Natfhe's concerns on this matter have been expressed to HEFCW and 바카라사이트 Welsh Office.

Len Arthur Natfhe NEC member, Wales HE