Action needed to maintain fair access progress

THE impact of Covid-19 could upset the remarkable progress that Scotland has made towards making access to higher education much fairer. At present Scotland leads the other UK nations.

Back in 2014 Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, set a target that by 2030 20 per cent of entrants to higher education should come from the 20% most deprived communities in Scotland – in other words, a truly level playing field which would be a first anywhere in the world.

Next year there is an interim target – 16% from the 20% most deprived communities – which has already effectively been met. That’s the good news. In five years the target is 18%. But Covid-19 could change all that. Bad news unless urgent action is taken now.

The impact of Covid-19 can be summed up in a single phrase, adapted from St Matthew’s Gospel: “from those who have least, the most has been taken away”. Covid-19 infections (and deaths) have been highest, and the public health restrictions strictest, in the poorest areas.

In these areas more schools have been disrupted more often and more pupils forced to quarantine. They are most likely to suffer from “digital poverty” – lack of suitable laptops, adequate wifi and quiet space at home, despite the best efforts of schools and local authorities to bridge this digital divide.

Progress towards closing the attainment gap between the best performing schools and pupils and those that perform less well may stall. The result could be fewer suitably qualified applicants for university from our poorest communities. Also universities

Progress towards closing the attainment gap may stall

have been forced to run outreach activities such as summer schools online, no substitute for in-person events such as campus visits.

This is why, as Commissioner for Fair Access, I have written a special report on the impact of Covid-19 on fair access to higher education which is about to be published on the Scottish Government’s website.

One of my recommendations is that universities look again at their minimum entry requirements, the adjusted offers they make to applicants from deprived communities or suffering other forms of disadvantage such as care experience, to reflect their disrupted schooling. That is one way to maintain, or increase, the pool of qualified applicants. It is also only fair given the disruption to these young people’s lives.

Financial hardship is rising rapidly as a result of Covid-19. Colleges and universities have increased their hardship funds, and the Government has provided some extra money. But this cannot compensate for the loss of income suffered by students who rely on part-time jobs, usually in hospitality.

Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated an already existing epidemic, of poor mental health among students. The Government will be considering multiple Covid19 recovery packages. One should focus on protecting Scotland’s proud record on fair access by addressing the challenges of the digital divide, disrupted schooling, financial hardship, mental health and a far from optimal student experience.