This autumn, Colleges Scotland responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on support for part-time and disabled students.  It’s a subject that goes to the heart of what our colleges stand for: opportunity, inclusion, and the belief that education should be accessible for everyone.

The latest available statistics show that across Scotland, 75% of college students study part-time, and 23% of the college student population declare a disability.  Behind each of these numbers is a story: a parent studying in the evenings, a young person rebuilding confidence after ill health, or an adult learner taking a new path later in life.  Their success depends on a system that understands their circumstances and supports them to thrive.

In shaping our response, we brought together sector experts to share their insights and experiences of supporting part-time and disabled students to succeed.  Their message was consistent: the current system is simply too complicated.  The definition of “part-time” isn’t clear, funding differs between further and higher education, and students often struggle to find clear, consistent advice.  This complexity can make continuing in education unnecessarily hard.

That’s why our response calls for a simpler, fairer approach.  We want a system where support follows the student, where rules are clear, and where flexibility is built in from the start.  We’ve also urged the Scottish Government to bring the Part-Time Fee Grant threshold in line with wages, and to recognise the importance of non-financial support, from inclusive teaching and accessible assessments to wellbeing and mental health support.

Colleges see every day what happens when the right support is in place: learners flourish and live change for the better.  As reforms take shape, we stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to design a system that best reflects the needs of our learners.