The BIGGEST thing to happen in education recently was the launch of the Governments Further Education and Training Bill. If the Bill is successful, learner engagement will be in primary legislation!

This Bill represents a positive step-change in the political focus that the FE system and its learners receive and it’s largely thanks to the hard work of the student leaders and activists who have been making the voice of FE students heard loud and clear on a local and national level. NUS has welcomed the Bill as a massive win for student representation and the FE campaign will be in touch with unions soon to let you know how you can ensure that the Bill goes through parliament.

Here is NUS’ press release on the Bill. If you’ve got any questions or would like some more information please get in contact with me ellie.russell@nus.org.uk

The National Union of Students (NUS) today (21 November 2006) welcomed the Further Education and Training Bill, saying that it was a 'step forward for learners across the country' and a 'real achievement for The National Union'.

This legislation has been secured as a direct result of an organised, student led, campaign that has been met at the top with enthusiasm and commitment.

The Bill offers a radical attempt to address the age-old problem of how to increase learner voice in further education, by securing in legislation the right for students to be consulted. Further details of this will be set out in guidance in the coming months.

NUS Vice-President (Further Education) Ellie Russell said;

"Today, learners across the country say thank you to the government for listening. For years NUS has argued and lobbied that learners should be at the heart of their education provision. Whist many we have spoken to have had good intentions, only this government has taken on board the views of students to make this a 'learners' FE Bill'.

The modernising FE aspects of the Bill will be a central plank on the road map to self-regulation. They will provide learners with the tools to shape their learning experiences. Combining this with the inclusion of legislation to ensure learner voice is heard and that principles are adequately qualified has resulted in a Bill with learners at its heart."

She added:

"However, putting learner voice in primary legislation is only the first step. We look forward to taking this forward with FE colleges across the country, the DfES and the LSC to ensure this Bill makes a real, tangible difference to the quality of the learning experience."

LSC Learner Support Forum

NUS has been invited to be a member of the Learning and Skills Councils Learner Support Forum. This group will contribute to the development and improvement of arrangements providing financial support to learners and enable access to and achievement in learning. NUS has been lobbying for a long time for the views of students to be considered in the arrangements of financial support for students, and we are delighted that we will be able to influence the delivery of the LSC’s Learner Support Programme through membership of this group.

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