Universities told: Don’t go virtual just to cut costs

ONLINE learning must not be used by vice chancellors as a cost-saving measure or ‘for convenience’, the Universities Minister warned yesterday.

Michelle Donelan said institutions must become ‘more transparent’ about the return to face-to-face learning. She has written to every university leader in the country, setting out an ‘expectation’ they listen to students’ demands.

In-person teaching has been allowed on campuses for all courses since May, after Covid lockdown measures meant some degrees had been onlineonly for months.

But even though there are no longer restrictions on face-toface learning, many universities have opted to keep some

‘Unfair and unnecessary’

virtual lectures. Thousands of students across the country have signed petitions to protest at their lack of in-person teaching while still paying fees of £9,2 0-a-year.

Writing for The Tab website, Miss Donelan said: ‘During the uncertainty of Covid-19, faceto-face learning was rightly put on hold. However this temporary change in learning must not be used by universities as an opportunity for cost saving or for convenience. While virtual learning is a fantastic innovation, it should only ever be used to complement and enhance your learning experience, not detract from it.’

And she hit out at the threeday walk-out across 8 universities by members of the University and College Union.

She added: ‘Students have been through enough and any further disruption caused to their learning is wholly unfair and completely unnecessary.’