College holds rally against funding cuts
West Lothian College held a rally protesting student poverty and funding cuts at the Livingston campus whilst hundreds did the same outside of Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
The rally was held in solidarity with the Edinburgh rally for education organised by the National Union of Students.
The union is appealing for the government not to go ahead with nearly £24,000,000 worth of cuts to colleges across Scotland.
The rallying West Lothian College Student Association argued that with the rising cost of living, students need more support - not less.
Jeannette Dobson, president of the West Lothian College Student Association said: “Our message to the government is – invest in us by investing in our education!
“Coming to college transformed my life and I want other people in West Lothian to have the chance to study at our great college.
“Financial and mental health support measures help students stay on course and achieve their qualifications.
“I really hope the government will not take away the funding they gave to colleges this year.”
Extra funding for West Lothian College has manifested itself as loaned laptops, to address digital exclusion and remote learning, winter fuel payments, to address fuel poverty, and increased support of students mental health and wellbeing through counselling.
In a survey carried out in November last year, students told the Student Association that the support they receive from the college is vital to their achievement.
The worry is that the cuts proposed for next year will lead to some of these vital services being withdrawn.
West Lothian College Principal Jackie Galbraith said: “While the Scottish Government faces enormous pressures in funding critical public services, cutting back on college funding doesn’t make sense.
“Colleges have never been more essential in tackling the effects of the pandemic and Brexit on jobs and changes in the economy.”