Ministers want to reform higher education rather than “continually expand an unfair system” CHRIS ISON/PAThe SNP has rejected calls to increase the number of university places available to Scots, despite fears that middle-class teenagers could be squeezed out of higher education. Sir Peter Scott, the Scottish government’s fair access commissioner, had urged ministers to review their cap on student numbers, arguing that raising it would help to dispel concerns that plans to radically increase the number of undergraduates from deprived areas would mean others missing out. However, Shirley-Anne Somerville, the universities minister, said she wanted to reform higher education rather than “continually expanding an unfair system”. Among the measures favoured by Ms Somerville is expanding the practice of allowing those from deprived areas into university with lower exam results than required of others. “I fully understand why this recommendation…

Source: The Times March 07, 2018 00:00 UTC