PE1395, in the name of Jan Culík, concerns targeted funding for lesser-taught languages and cultures at universities. Members have a note by the clerk and submissions on the petition. There was a useful debate when we had an evidence-taking session on it some time ago.
Official Report · Committee
Current Petitions
Lesser-taught Languages and Cultures (University Teaching Funding) (PE1395)
Speakers
Choose an MSP to read only their contributions- David Stewart Lab 4
- John Wilson SNP 2
- Sandra White SNP 1
The record
7 contributionsI would like the petition to be continued. Some questions have arisen not only since we took evidence but from looking into the background.As the Scottish Government has given more money to the universities, I would like to ask them whether they would be able to use that money to continue foreign language teaching.Some of our papers mention the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which used to give money to support language teaching. They say that that funding was ended because of devolution, but it was not ended until fairly recently and devolution started in 1999. I would like to find out exactly when and why that funding was ended.Foreign language teaching is extremely important and the petition has been supported by everyone to whom I have spoken, including various organisations. We desperately need foreign language skills in Scotland. Therefore, I would like to ask the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council why it is not prepared to continue funding for it, particularly given the extra money that is going to universities.
We have a response that is headed “Petitioner Letter of 2 February 2012” and signed by Hugh McMahon. I understood that the petitioner was Jan Culík. I seek clarification of whether the committee is content to accept petitioner responses from someone other than the person who launched a petition with the committee.
Hugh McMahon has been closely involved in the petition and is authorised by the petitioner to make the response.
I wanted to get that on the record, so that is clear to people. If there is an agreement between Jan Culík and Hugh McMahon, that is fine.
That is a legitimate point and I am glad to be able to reassure the member on it. It is clear that the petition is important. I recommend continuing it and following the clerk’s first recommendation, which is to await the outcome of the “Putting Learners at the Centre” consultation. It is important that we are seen to support the petition as much as we can. We can consider it again when we have the outcome of the consultation. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.
I thank the petitioner and Mr McMahon for their attendance.
In this meeting
Everything on 21 Feb 2012 →- 14:00 Decision on Taking Business in Private Procedure · 1
- 14:00 Current Petition Petitions · 94
- 14:00 New Petition Petitions · 4
- 14:00 Current Petitions Petitions · 11
- 14:00 Current Petitions Petitions · 6
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- 14:00 Current Petitions Petitions · 9
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- 14:00 Current Petitions Petitions · 4
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