Search

Reports that managers at Kingsway College in Great Britain have promised not to impose compulsory redundancies and offered concessions on new contracts to teachers on strike to avert further industrial action. Offer of talks over the use the controversial agency Education Lecturing Services.

Looks at the goal of Prime Minister Tony Blair, to meet the target of getting 500,000 people into colleges or universities by the year 2002. Percentage of increase to meet the Prime Minister's goal; Comments from Geoff Hall, the Further Education Funding Council's head of policy; What the figures produced by the council predicted; What the Prime Minister is promising; Warnings by the Prime Minister.

Looks at the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC), while highlighting that students were asked to pass judgment on the eight commandments of the FEFC. Details on whether colleges agree with the list of long-term goals by the FEFC; Aims of the council; Indepth look at the aims.

Reports that the British government provided Trade union leader with 2 million pounds to promote education in the workplace in the Employee Education Development Fund. How employers and trade unions apply for loans; Comments from David Blunkett, education secretary.

Focuses on the resignation of the board of the Association of Colleges, with reference to how the colleges made them resign. Details on the special meeting in Birmingham; Information on the resignation of Roger Ward, chief executive Roger Ward; Mention of a letter from the Association of Principal of Colleges.

Focuses on the national vocational qualification (NVQ) programs in England, in reference to cash support from the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC). Reference to the NVQ program at Scottish and Newcastle Retail company; Information on a decision made by the FEFC to ban colleges from paying subsidies direct to employers; Comments from David Eade, Barnsley College principal.

Reports that investigations are being carried out on the Bilston Community College, England, and its association with Ellel Ministries, an exponent of `deliverance' ministry. Influence of group over the school; Comments from the Right Reverend Dominic Walker, the Bishop of Reading and Church of England's chief adviser on exorcism; Background information on the group; Information on the programme `Healing in the Kingdom of God.'

Presents information on the establishment of a national system of grants for Great Britain's sixth-form students. Comments from Graham Lane, chairman of the government's advisory group on student support; Amount of financing the grants will receive; Reference to Clause 18, which allows the Education Secretary to withdraw funds from universities that charges high fees.

Reports that following the plans by the government of Great Britain to introduce tuition fees, thousands of students has abandoned plans to enter university. Comparison of the number of university applications in 1998 to those of 1997; Comments from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service; Indepth look at the situation.

Highlights a survey conducted by the staff at the Preston-based Responsive Colleges Unit, which indicated that a number of people embark on courses, without speaking to tutors or former students. Reference to only a third of those enrolled received information on students' destination after leaving the college; Details of the study.

States that research carried out in England proves the system used to administer cash to colleges is faulty and impacts negatively on parts of the curriculum. Quotes from the report completed after carrying out the research; Views of staff interviewed while carrying out the research; Explanation of the system of allocating cash to colleges.

Focuses on the ordering of an independent inquiry by the South Devon College and has agreed to repay one million pounds in European subsidies. Circumstances surrounding this move; Information on the repalcing of the college's system of student records; What acting principal, Ian Bentley is doing regarding the crisis; Detailed information the crisis.

Reports that the Association of University Teachers, leader David Triesman has offered to assist National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, in getting out of their financial problems. What the AUT offered the Lecturers union; Objective of AUT offer; Comments from Triesman.

Reports that Liberal Democrat education spokesman Don Foster, has expressed concern about the finances of the quango responsible for training college staff. Statement made by Foster; What issues were expressed by Foster.

Reports that three of the largest teaching unions in London are holding talks over the establishment of a super council. Objective for the super council; Indentification of the teaching unions; Comments from indivdual union members.

Reports that New National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education general secretary Paul Mackney, is prepared to go ahead with a merger with the Association of University Teachers. Comments from Mackney.

States that accessibility to grants for students in Great Britain were commissioned by the Further Education Funding Council under The Funding Lottery. How financial aid is attributed to the students; Findings of the Policy Studies Institute's research; Comparison of the service to that in America.

Reports on the pressing for an exemption by the Association of Colleges (AOC), on Lord Nolan's proposed anti-sleaze law. Arguments from the AOC; Indepth look at the proposal; Comments from Nolan; Remarks from John Brennan, development director of AOC. INSET: Mr. Ward's interests.

Presents an interview with Paul Mackney, general secretary of the lectures' union, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE).

Reports on the fall of fees for adult education students in Great Britain, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). Statistical information from the survey; Reactions of NIACE officials; Comments from Sue Cara, NIACE associate director.

Reports that a survey conducted by the Further Education Funding Council on its staff, revealed that lecturers at further education colleges in Great Britain have limited qualifications. Criticism of the out-of-date industrial experience of staff; Details on the report; Call for colleges to invest more effort in updating lecturers' skills.

States that colleges in Great Britain need to improve language and computer technology teaching to exploit overseas markets. Research by the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA); Need for investment in overseas projects; FEDA report `The Shrinking World'; Percentage of schools with plans for international work; Europe as the major source of links between colleges; Recommendation of greater use of high technology.

Reports that Roger Ward, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AOC), was brought before the Commons education select committee. Question of why Ward had claimed the AOC had a full register of interests when none exists; Possible disciplinary charges for Ward; Ward's links with the finance group Burke Ford Reed; Admission of Ward that the register does not exist. INSETS: Hodge quizzes AOC chairman;So where is the register now?.

Reports that college employers in Great Britain are to press for a single union to represent all staff in further education. Policy paper by the Association of Colleges; Proposal to strengthen the two separate unions, NATFHE and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers; Legislation forcing union recognition.

Looks at the condemning of child benefit payments to the wealthy parents of sixth form students. Comments from Graham Lane, chairman of Great Britain's working group on student grants; Use of savings to encourage teenagers to stay on at school or college; Controversy surrounding benefits for single mothers and disabled people; Entitlement to support all 16 to 19 year-old students. INSET: Wrong to single out lone parents, by Rob Merrick.

Reports that Roger Ward, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AOC) in Great Britain, is under inquiry for delivering false evidence to a committee of MPs. Recalling of Ward by the House of Commons education select committee; Assurance of Ward that the AOC had a register of the financial interests of senior members; Admission of Ward that no such register exists; Possible disciplinary proceedings from the AOC.

Looks at the forward-looking links between colleges and school `post-16 centres', with focus on the partnership between Manchester College of Arts and Technology and Newall Green high school. Benefits of this partnership between the two schools; Comments from Barry Morrison, head-teacher at Newall Green.

Questions the role of the Further Education Development Agency, while highlighting the reactions of member of parliament on the issue. Reference to changes being made to the educational system; Findings of studies being conducted.

Presents information on the Teaching and Higher Education Bill, while highlighting its possible impact on student loans. Objectives of implementing the bill; Provisions of the bill; Reference to fees which will be imposed on students.

Focuses on the halt of the merger which was being conducted between Mackworth, Derby University and High Peak College, Buxton. Factors which influenced the discontinuation of the merger; Information on the parties involved in the merger; Reference to some of the decisions made by the institutions involved.

Discloses that ministers in Great Britain are facing strong pressure on three fronts as they prepare proposals for the 1998 White Paper on lifelong learning. Proposals contained in the Fryer report on lifelong learning; Education Secretary David Blunkett's unveiling of a rescue package for colleges; Call for adult education funding to be increased; Need for a public debate on funding for education.

Reports on a letter sent by college heads to the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) about funding for colleges in London, England. Amount to be given to London colleges per year under plans due to be discussed by an FEFC committee; Excerpts from the letter.

Discloses that Association of Colleges (AOC) chief Roger Ward did not declare any link with financial advisers Burke Ford Reed until five months after the firm agreed to pay him 650 British pounds a month. Ward's denial that there was a consultancy agreement; AOC's release of a register of board and senior staff members' interests.

Discloses that the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) would be at the center of plans to expand and improve colleges in Great Britain. FEDA's plan to close the former further education staff college near Bristol, England to create new headquarters in London; Possibility of job losses as a result of the move; Publication of the first inspection report into the agency.

Discloses that senior government advisers in Great Britain have published proposals for a British cultural revolution to create a radical new cradle-to-grave education. Call on Education Secretary David Blunkett to open up education to hundreds of thousands of people; Measures to revolutionize adult education; Changes to education funding.

Focuses on British colleges' views on the performance tables released as of November 21, 1997. Alleged failure to cover the majority of college courses; Decision making issues.

Reports that British Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett ordered colleges to set targets for slashing drop-out rates, and called for all new students to be tested as part of a drive to improve their basic skills. Zero tolerance policy towards schools; Merger and cooperation orders.

Reports that Great Britain's Further Education Development Agency will dispose of its two sites in Blagdon, near Bristol, and its two central London, England, offices by July 1999. Effort to centralize the operations of the agency; Background information on the agency.

Reports on the support from board members of Great Britain's Association of Colleges for the association's chief executive Roger Ward on the issue of illegal consultancy agreement. Accusation of Ward against `The TES'; Reactions from different sectors on the investigation of the issue.

Reports on the demand for Great Britain's Further Education Funding Council to account for the 1.6 million pounds of public money spent illegally. Investigation on a business venture by an unnamed college; Illegal funding for underwater diving.

Reports on the cash injection of 83 million pounds for colleges in Great Britain. Restoration of 10 million pounds cut to competitiveness funds; Percentage of budget cut reduction.

Reports on the overhaul of A-level standards for universities in Great Britain. Inclusion of a general national vocational qualification; Flaws in the old system of rating school's performance.

Reports that local governments in Great Britain are preparing to abandon control of continuing education as part of a trade-off to end disputes with colleges over student enrollment. Councils' gain of seats on college boards; Colleges' gain of representation on school districts' committees; Other details of negotiations; Introduction of a common funding formula for 16 to 19 education.

Reports that the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) of Great Britain is considering plans to sell its teachers' training center in West Country, England. Rationalization of FEDA's property holdings; Alternatives being explored; Problems with accommodation; Expectation of a government agency report critical of the FEDA's operations.

Cites the annual report of the chief inspector of colleges Jim Donaldson in Great Britain. Continuing education college principals' inability to get the best value for money because of the number of qualifications on offer; Introduction of a system of modular courses which would help colleges save money; Urging for government reform of the 17,000 qualifications; Praise of colleges for coping with the budget crisis.

Reports that the Further Education Funding Council of Great Britain has announced that continuing education college debts have risen to 112 million pounds sterling in 1996. Rise in the number of colleges in a weak financial state; Teachers' unions' campaign to press for federal cash injection into continuing education; Warning that colleges would be unable to carry out government policy without additional funding.

Reveals that British colleges have the potential to aid economic development in their areas, but have little idea how this is possible, according to a study by the Further Education Development Agency. Collaboration with businesses, other public sector bodies and the community; Difficulties in getting a seat at a table at some of the larger partnerships and boards.

Profiles Stephen Crowne, head of Great Britain's Further Education Development Agency (FEDA). Educational attainment; Career history; Conflict with principals over the uses of FEDA's budget; FEDA's Quality in Information and Learning Technology.

Reports that Great Britain's National Audit Office has asked for better controls to predict the financial effects of the expansion of enrollment in colleges. Delays in collecting information about student numbers; Crisis over the so-called demand-led funding; Amount the Treasury owes from colleges which exceeded recruitment targets.

Reports that Association of Colleges chief executive Roger Ward has denied links with the lecturers' job agency ELS.