Current Petitions

PE390, from Ms Deirdre Henderson, asks the Parliament to take necessary action on several issues to ensure that students from non-traditional backgrounds are not excluded from higher education. We considered the petition at our meeting on 11 September 2001 and agreed to write to the Executive for its comments. The Executive has written back with comprehensive details of the action that has been taken with the Cubie committee of inquiry and the Dearing committee of inquiry, and of action that the Executive has taken.The Executive's response addresses many of the issues that the petition raised, such as flexible learning, widening of access to students from non-traditional backgrounds, improvements in child-care policies and student finance. It is worth noting the Executive's view that it would not be prudent or practical to conduct further substantial review of the new student finance arrangements so soon after their introduction.In view of that full response and the range of initiatives that is under way to widen access to higher education, it is suggested that we copy the Executive's response to the petitioner and take no further action. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.