Number of Scottish college students fell last year, latest figures show

Number of Scottish college students fell last year, latest figures show – Evening Express

The number of students at Scotland’s colleges fell by almost 26,000 last year, according to figures released by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). There were 239,004 students enrolled at a college for the 2019-2020 academic year, down from 264,858 the previous year.

Coronavirus: Doubt over financial sustainability of universities

‘Covid is a wake-up call’: Doubt over financial sustainability of universities

Covid-19 and a reliance on revenue from international students have raised doubts over whether Scotland’s universities are in a financially sustainable position, the higher education minister has warned. Richard Lochhead said the pandemic had been a “wake-up call” for institutions which have in recent years used income from growing overseas recruitment to cross-subsidise other activities.

Just one in three councils say all their schools have daily live teaching

Scotland’s remote learning postcode lottery: Just one in three councils say all their schools have daily live teaching

A postcode lottery of live online teaching of Scotland’s children has been revealed as calls are made for set standards over remote learning during the coronavirus lockdown. Research by the Herald on Sunday shows that only one in three local authorities indicated that online lessons are being provided at all their schools on a daily basis.

Covid Scotland: How schools were rocked by the pandemic in 2020

Closures, pupils isolating and teacher absences: How schools were hit by Covid in 2020

Data released from the Scottish Government has shown how the Covid pandemic has impacted schools and childcare services during the academic 2020/21 academic year so far. The information shows student and staff attendance and absences, what reasons were provided for absences, the percentage attendance of pupils at each level of education from Primary 1 to S6 and the percentage of childcare services open in Scotland.

Ministers knew of glitches with online learning for 40 days before Scotland’s home-schooling meltdown

Ministers knew of issues with online learning for 40 days before Scotland’s home-schooling meltdown

SCOTLAND’S remote learning network was hit with unresolved glitches for 40 days before lessons were disrupted for thousands across Scotland yesterday due to technical problems on the first day of lockdown remote learning.

Higher exams: Attainment fears as school leaver pass rates ‘stall’

Higher exams: Attainment fears as school leaver pass rates ‘stall’

The proportion of Scottish school leavers securing at least one pass at Higher or equivalent has fallen in the vast majority of council areas, sparking warnings that decades-long progress in improving attainment has “stalled”.

SNP economics guru says party lacks ‘honest and clear’ prospectus for Indy

SNP economics guru says party lacks ‘honest and clear’ prospectus for Indy

NICOLA Sturgeon’s economics guru has warned the party not to brush over the downsides and “hard work” of independence as it ramps up talk of another referendum. Andrew Wilson, who led the SNP’s Growth Commission, said the nationalists had yet to produce “a prospectus that is honest and clear about the transition, timings and trade-offs, as well as positive about its vision”.

Independence could cost Scotland’s economy £11bn a year, forecast suggests

Independence could cost Scotland’s economy £11bn a year, forecast suggests

Scotland’s economy would shrink by at least £11bn a year if it became independent, more than doubling the damaging impacts of Brexit, a team of economists has forecast. The report from the London School of Economics and City University of Hong Kong found that quitting the UK’s common market would hit the Scottish economy two to three times as hard as leaving the EU, just counting the impact on trade alone.

Scottish election must focus on economic recovery, say industry chiefs

Scottish election must focus on economic recovery, say industry chiefs

The incoming Scottish Government will face a greater set of challenges than any previous Holyrood administration, according to CBI Scotland. The organisation has now called on all the main parties to ensure growth is at the centre of their election campaigns as Scots prepare to go to the polls on May 6.

Scottish independence referendum: why the economic issues are quite different to 2014

Scottish independence referendum: why the economic issues are quite different to 2014

Independence has returned to the top of the agenda in Scotland after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signalled that her Scottish National Party (SNP) will hold a consultative second referendum after the May election if there is a pro-indepedence majority in the Scottish parliament – regardless of whether Westminster gives its approval.