College campus return for some students is welcomed
The announcement that university students will be allowed to return to campuses for essential subjects has been welcomed by Perth College’s students’association president.
At the weekend First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the staggered return to accommodation and study will be extended until at least the end of February.
Plans for the staggered return to universities had been announced after a testing system was put in place to allow them to return home for Christmas.
But students are now being urged to stay at home with learning and teaching to be online only for the vast majority of students until the start of March,
However, exceptions have been made for students learning subjects where remote study is not possible, such as for student nurses or doctors.
Select students can also return to their term-time accommodation if their attendance is critical, their education cannot be delivered remotely or postponed, they have a placement ,or for reasons of student wellbeing.
In response to the announcement, Highlands and Islands Students’Association (HISA) Perth president Alex Wilson said:“In line with HISA, HISA Perth is pleased to see that our students will now be able to return to campus should they fit the requirements outlined by the Scottish Government.
“Concerns still remain about the responsibility of teaching aspects and term two arrangements falling with our own institution.
“Unclear guidance from the Scottish Government only causes more stress and uncertainty for our students and staff and we believe more could be done to alleviate this.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:“We have no direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation, whether that is managed by universities or private sector organisations. These are judgments that universities and providers have got to make in contact and consultation with their student community, and it’s right and appropriate that is undertaken.
“We encourage accommodation providers to come to an appropriate resolution of issues around tenancy agreements and rent payments.
“Our focus is on the public health emergency to keep students, staff and wider society safe.”