{"id":10835,"date":"2018-11-05T16:29:48","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T16:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=10835"},"modified":"2018-11-05T16:29:48","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T16:29:48","slug":"education-select-committees-report-value-for-money-in-higher-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/around-ou\/ou-speaks-out\/education-select-committees-report-value-for-money-in-higher-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Government must urgently address decline in part-time and mature learners, says report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maintenance grants for part-time students, expansion of degree apprenticeships and credit transfer are just some of the recommendations aimed at addressing the decline in part-time and mature learners in the Education Select Committee\u2019s report Value for Money in Higher Education<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n

The report published today has been strongly welcomed by The Open University for recognising the need for part-time study to support the economy and social mobility. The report examined value for money to the tax-payer and student; quality of HE; skills; social justice and graduate employability.<\/p>\n

The OU has a huge role to play<\/h2>\n

Professor Mary Kellett, Acting Vice-Chancellor of The Open University<\/a> said, \u201cIt is no secret that there has been a significant decline in part-time student numbers in recent years and, as the UK\u2019s largest provider of part-time distance learning, we have felt this more than most. This report echoes much of what we have been championing in terms of accessibility, as well as the positive impact of part-time study on skills, society and the economy. These recommendations are a very welcome step towards recognising the contribution of part-time learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding, \u201cFor almost 50 years The Open University has proudly offered open access education to all, with a delivery method that allows many of our students to work while they study. Currently 75% of our students are in part or full-time employment, with around 55% of our students coming from the most deprived areas of the country. The value of part-time goes way beyond financial impact and the OU has a huge role to play in the realisation of that potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

Generation of lost learners<\/h2>\n

In a recent report published by the CBI and UUK<\/a> that claimed a generation of \u2018lost learners\u2019 were missing out on the chance to develop the skills at university that employers and the UK economy need, because of the cost and time it takes to study part-time. In a\u00a0joint statement\u00a0to government the UUK and the CBI recommend many of the recommendations in today\u2019s report:<\/p>\n