Students demand action to prevent ‘perfect storm’ as colleges brace for strikes

STUDENT leaders are demanding ministers act to prevent crippling disruption during exam season as colleges brace for fresh strikes over pay.

Matt Crilly, NUS Scotland president, has written to the education and finance secretaries to warn of a “perfect storm” facing learners due to government cuts, industrial action and the cost-ofliving crisis.

Meanwhile, bosses at the EIS Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) have agreed a revised pattern of strike days following what they said was a “refusal” by college employers to join new talks earlier than Thursday.

It means there will be one day of action this week and in the weeks beginning May 15 and 22, and two days a week in the weeks beginning May 29 and June 5. Three days a week are planned from June 12 until the end of the academic year.

The days will run in conjunction with action short of strikes, including a boycott that prevents the formal upload of student assessment results.

College chiefs last week offered a pay rise that comprises consolidated and unconsolidated elements of £900 and £150, respectively. However, this remains below the EIS-FELA’S amended demand for a £1,200 flat-rated award.

Mr Crilly, whose letter to Shirleyanne Somerville and Kate Forbes was co-signed by student association presidents from across the country, called for urgent government intervention. “There is no doubt that college students in Scotland face a perfect storm of cuts, strikes and cost-of-living rises that are having an impact on the learning and welfare of students,” he added.

A Government spokeswoman said: “In our 2022-23 Budget we will provide over £1.9 billion for Scotland’s universities and colleges. We understand this is a tough time for many students and, since June 2021, we have provided more than £37 million in hardship funding to colleges and universities.”