Robert Brown MSP calls for support for student parents

12.00.00am GMT Mon 8th Feb 2010

Glasgow MSP Robert Brown today backed calls from NUS Scotland for greater support for parents to help them study at college and university in Scotland.

The costs of childcare can be a huge barrier to parents entering and staying in college or university education. However over the last few years the childcare funding system in Scotland has been stretched to breaking point. A number of colleges have run out of funds in the past, meaning student parents losing crucial financial help half way through their courses.

The current system is discretionary so that student parents cannot be sure what level of financial help they will receive or for how long they will receive it. NUS Scotland is calling for a childcare entitlement, rather than the lottery student parents currently face. Following pressure from NUS Scotland the Scottish Government is now reviewing the system with a view to bringing in an entitlement.

In 2007/08 8510 student parents across Scotland accessed funding to help them with their childcare costs, including 420 lone parents in the Glasgow Region. However NUS Scotland believes many more parents at university and college could not access the help they need.

NUS Scotland are currently undertaking research into how well students, including student parents, are supported financially through their college or university course. If you are a parent at college or university and would like to give your views go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/stillinthered.

Robert Brown said:

"Lack of adequate childcare is a major barrier to many lone parents accessing College and University. It really is something which must be greatly improved. I have always backed action which supports opportunities for people in further and higher education and removes barriers for people.

However I was appalled to discover at the NUS Scotland event held at the Scottish Parliament how damaging the childcare challenge can be for individuals. The current childcare funding system for parents at college or university is not working and is not dependable.

"I'm delighted to back NUS Scotland's campaign to support parents to study at college and university. We must do our best as a country to get the best out of all our people, including the many parents in this area who may be looking to go back to study or enter further study for the first time. Anything that can make this as easy as possible should be explored further."

Kainde Manji, NUS Scotland Women's Officer, said:

"We must do more to help parents to go to college and university. A country the size of Scotland needs to get the most out of all of our talented people, regardless of background or circumstance. Unfortunately, there are far too many talented parents that are either unable to access further study or unable to stay due to childcare costs. We believe everything should be done to remove these barriers.

"The current childcare funding system for parents at college or university is not working. It resembles a lottery more than a source of help parents can depend on. NUS Scotland is pushing for childcare funding to be an entitlement for parent students and we will be working hard with the Scottish Parliament to see this become a reality.

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