UCU challenges government's HE debate

The University and College Union (UCU) has disputed the government’s Higher Education Debate, claiming that the considerations and issues it addresses have not been articulated by relevant sources. The Higher Education Debate, which was announced by secretary of state for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham in February and published in November, contains suggestions on how the government and universities should act in order to develop the standard of higher education over the next 10 to 15 years. The UCU accused the document of failing to source opinions from practitioners within the industry, whose inside knowledge could offer the debate a credibility they claim is lacking.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt commented: “Everybody involved in higher education wants what they believe is best for the sector. There will always be different points of view and it is imperative that the government takes them all on board. We find it astonishing that the secretary of state failed to ensure that those genuinely representing the people tasked with delivering government policy on the ground – the staff – were afforded the opportunity to contribute to, or review, the submissions.

“Honest debate is part and parcel of university life and it must to be allowed to flourish throughout higher education. If the government wants its Higher Education Debate to have any credibility it must take on board the views of practitioners. Failure to do so will only lead to accusations that it is seeking evidence to back up current policy, rather than a genuine critique.”