Students ‘must stick to online learning’

ONLINE learning should be the ‘default’ position for universities this term, student leaders have said.

Undergraduate students at the University of Edinburgh headed back to campus on Monday as part of the previously agreed staggered return of students.

But the National Union of Students (NUS) criticised the continuing uncertainty and said students should not be on campus ‘unless absolutely necessary’.

Universities Scotland called for urgent clarity from the Government about changes to the restrictions around in-person and online teaching following the new lockdown measures. NUS Scotland president Matt Crilly also called for rent rebates for students who were paying for accommodation they are unable to access.

Mr Crilly said: ‘NUS Scotland continues to call for online learning to be the default position.

‘That way, no student has to be on campus unless absolutely necessary and every student can make an informed decision about whether they want to return to their student accommodation.

‘Students are being expected to pay rent for at least six weeks for accommodation they can’t use. That is grossly unfair. We are seeking urgent clarity from the Scottish Government and universities to ensure no student is left out of pocket and that every university has a no-detriment policy in place, so no student is academically disadvantaged.’

The Scottish Government has previously said rent is a matter for universities.

A spokesman for Universities Scotland said: ‘We are seeking urgent clarity from the Scottish Government about what changes they plan to the staggered resumption of in-person teaching, in the light of the changed prevalence of the virus in society.

‘We want to give students as much certainty as possible.’ Universities Scotland added that ‘ any student who is currently unsure about what to do should contact their university for their latest guidance’.

The Scottish Government said: ‘We are looking urgently this week – working with universities, unions and student representatives – as to whether any further changes are required to the planned staggered return for university students.

‘As set out in existing guidance, the message to students remains that they should not return to their term-time accommodation until in-person teaching resumes, as advised by their institution.’