Gateway Qualifications welcomes the publication today of the Independent panel report to the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.
We welcome the recognition of the importance of the work carried out by the further education sector, and acknowledgement of the impact that a reduction in funding has had on the decline in participation at Levels 2 and 3, with the consequent effect this has had on social mobility. The Post-18 Review report acknowledges the importance of both the higher and further education sectors, and seeks to balance the needs, opportunities and rights of every adult to get the support they need to progress in learning. This is an approach which Gateway Qualifications wholeheartedly endorses.
Dr Philip Augar, Chair of the Post-18 Education Review Panel, as referenced in fenews.co.uk:
“Our work revealed that post-18 education in England is a story of both care and neglect, depending on whether students are amongst the 50 per cent of young people who participate in higher education or the rest. The panel believes that this disparity simply has to be addressed. Doing so is a matter of fairness and equity and is likely to bring considerable social and economic benefits to individuals, employers and the country at large. It is our core message.”
“Our proposals are designed to build on the considerable achievements of our universities – one of the UK’s world class industries – with a particular focus on the economy’s needs and improving value for money for students and taxpayers. We also seek to rebuild further education, for too long the Cinderella sector, and see technical and vocational education as a means of addressing the country’s skills gap.”
“We are firmly of the view that post-18 education should be a lifelong experience available to all, irrespective of age, situation or income. Our proposals are intended to create such a system.”
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Post-18 review of education and funding: independent panel report