NUS President and ex-student, Shakira Martin, appeared last night on Channel 4 news to talk about the reduction in funding to Further Education colleges at a critical time in their history.
Sporting a ‘Made by Lewisham College’ sweatshirt, Shakira said: “Further Education has given me the platform to be here. It has allowed me to break the cycle of deprivation and do something I never in 100 years thought that I would have the ability or opportunity to do. FE saves lives.”
Government funding to colleges has been reduced in real terms by 24% since 2010 and has meant that many colleges struggle to cope with demand. Shakira debated the issues alongside Professor Len Shackleton, from the free-market think tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Jon Snow, veteran Channel 4 News presenter also revealed that his own academic journey had been made possible by a Scarborough College which accepted him to study A levels after not doing well at school
A Government review of post-16 education is underway and it is hoped that the funding to FE will be addressed as part of it.
Enjoy the interview again here