National Union of Students set to unveil new campaign

Student presidents from across the country's colleges have joined with NUS Scotland in the latest campaign against cuts outlined by the Scottish Government in last month's spending review.

The effort, which will become the union's new priority campaign after winning a £7,000 minimum income for the poorest students after their last undertaking, will be officially launched on November 19 at the NUS Scotland Zone Conference.

Students will call on MSPs to restate their manifesto commitment to protect the number of places in further education as well as maintain the credits per course at 18 in order to protect the quality of college education and to keep access to college courses local and fair.

Students from across Scotland will be taking part in a video where they will talk about the importance of college education and why they are participating in a bid to raise awareness of the crucial role colleges play and how valuable they are to their local communities.

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, said: "Colleges' budgets were cut by over 10 per cent last year and we know the impact that's had on class sizes, teaching time and wider support and guidance for students. We must therefore avoid this damage again over the coming years."

He added: "Colleges play a crucial role in promoting social and economic development in some of Scotland's most deprived communities... Protecting places, quality and local access to college is crucial to widening access, both to education in general but also to degrees too.

"If we are to be successful, we have to come together as a student movement across Scotland and do everything in our power to make sure that vital opportunities to study at local colleges are there for this year and there for many years to come."