Non-Traditional Settings

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:43 pm on 6 October 2021.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 2:43, 6 October 2021

Minister, thank you for that answer. It's two issues that come to mind, raised by Welsh residents who want to access learning but can't. One resident in Alyn and Deeside sought to do a postgraduate education qualification at Cheshire East college, an institution where learners from other parts of the United Kingdom can get funding to attend, but, unfortunately, we do not recognise the course, and, despite it being on her doorstep, she could therefore not attend. 

Minister, you will also be aware of concerns raised through a Senedd petition—and, Llywydd, I want to be clear here that I'm not speaking on behalf of the committee; I'm speaking as a Member of the Senedd. But that petition raised that postgraduate funding only extends to traditional universities, excluding students who choose science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine Master's through alternative providers. Minister, do you agree with me that the best institution is often the one the learner can access, and we should not seek to place barriers in the way of people attending qualifications?