Students To Get Own Minister

Students in England are to be given their own government minister and have a national forum introduced to influence university policy. Lord Triesman will be the first Minister for Students and will have specific responsibility to speak up for higher education students. There will also be an independent National Student Forum which will advise on student issues.

There are currently 2.3 million students in the UK, with the latest figures from the university admissions service showing a further rise in numbers entering higher education.

National Union of Students president, Gemma Tumelty, said: “For far too long students have been out in the cold when it comes to decisions about their futures. We are delighted that the government is willing to listen to the voice of the learner in its approach to education.”

16th Oct 2007