Divert more university students into further education - Report

With one in 10 graduates leaving university still hampered by low levels of maths or literacy ability, the OECD says the money would be better spent in schools

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The report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recommends that some university undergraduates should instead be diverted into FE colleges as the best way of solving chronic skills shortages among school leavers in England.

With one in 10 graduates leaving university still hampered by low levels of maths or literacy ability, the OECD says the money would be better spent in schools and in education for 16- to 19-year-olds tackling poor skill levels.

The report was commissioned by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) after research showed young people in England had lower levels of skills than the previous generation, and below those of Poland and Spain. It argues that further education courses are a cheaper and more effective way of tackling the problem than expensive degree courses.

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Instead, the Paris-based thinktank recommends that it be made harder for young people without qualifications such as a C in GCSE maths to enrol at university, while universities should also be stopped from allowing students to graduate while lacking basic skills.

Fewer undergraduates would mean savings of hundreds of millions of pounds, according to the authors, which could be used for school improvements as well as funding professional courses for school-leavers.

“This would help to rebalance the English education system towards one which would be both more efficient in the use of public resources and fairer to all,” the report claims.

But the report’s findings were disputed by higher education bodies, which argued that the success of graduates in finding well-paid jobs was evidence that universities were providing valuable skills.

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“The percentage of people with university degrees in England deemed to have low skills is exceptionally small. The report’s suggested change of approach does not seem justified based on the small numbers involved,” said Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents the executive heads of universities.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of Million+, a university thinktank affiliated with many newer universities, said: “The OECD has taken a partial view of the university landscape, failing to understand the myriad ways universities support students in their degree courses regardless of their individual prior attainment.

“It remains the case that studying at university, including for a degree apprenticeship, remains the best choice an individual can make to be successful in the workplace.”

The OECD argued that traditional three-year undergraduate degrees are “costly and unsuited to the educational needs” of young people lacking numeracy and literacy, while students graduating with poor basic skills “undermine the currency of an English university degree”.

“These potential entrants should be diverted into more suitable provision that meets their needs. Such students need postsecondary alternatives that will address their needs and tackle basic skills,” the report recommends.

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“For students with intermediate levels of basic skills, much more needs to be done within universities to develop quite basic literacy and numeracy skills, alongside higher level study skills.”

Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, which represents FE colleges, said the sector already helped more than three million people gain skills each year. “A university education is not the only option and policymakers need to recognise that a technical and professional education is just as valuable,” Doel said.

“All 18-year-olds, whether going to college, university or a job, should have maths and English skills up to level two [grade C or above at GCSE]. It is appropriate, therefore, that universities should only accept students with these qualifications.”

Overall, the report blamed poor education at state schools for the existing low levels of skills among those aged up to 34. But it applauded the government’s reforms as likely to tackle the problem, though it does suggest abolishing GCSE exams at 16 in favour of a baccalaureate qualification at age 18.

“While we are pleased the OECD recognises the progress we have made, we are not complacent and will maintain our relentless focus on literacy and numeracy so all young people have the chance to succeed,” a spokesperson for BIS said.

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“Funding for the FE sector has not only been protected, but will increase in cash terms under this government. This is because we recognise the key role the sector plays in equipping people with the skills they need to get on.”

Source: Theguardian.com

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