College Response to Executive's Pathway to Recovery

Reacting to The Executive’s Pathway to Recovery, Chair of the Further Education Colleges Principal’s Group, Ken Webb said:  

“The recovery plan published by The Executive is welcome and attention now must turn to the safe return of our students and staff to campus and the resumption of face-to-face learning.  

“College life has been disrupted now for one year with lengthy periods being spent in online, remote learning. This learning format cannot replace practical skills development that takes place in college campuses and coupled with remaining uncertainty over arrangements to replace examinations, there is real anxiety being felt amongst our college communities, between both students and staff. Our students’ education has no doubt been impacted during this time, and our focus now is to build on the fantastic work our staff have provided during the restrictions of this last year.

“Many of the courses we provide are practical in nature, therefore our students need to be on campus for the applied, in-person teaching that is required. We are pleased to see that this has been recognised by The Executive and inserted early in Stage Two of the recovery pathway.  

“As we begin our own pathway back from the pandemic, our priority is the safe return of all staff and pupils and ensuring that all our learners receive the education they deserve. We look forward to working with our full college community to guarantee a smooth transition back to on-campus learning.”