Last week a University and College Union report revealed big differences in educational attainment in London and across the UK. The union analysed 21 individual cities including London and discovered many examples of the educational haves and have nots living side by side.
Erith and Thamesmead was ranked 28th highest out of 74 constituencies in Greater London for the percentage of people with no qualifications.
This news follows last week’s damning Education Select Committee report that was highly critical of the Government’s decisions around scrapping EMA. Having campaigned against the Government’s plan to scrap EMA Teresa is hearing worrying reports from local schools about how they will be affected by its greatly-reduced replacement fund.
Teresa said:
“This UCU report shows big differences in educational attainment across London, and a stark divide between east and west. Worryingly, Erith and Thamesmead is ranked 28th highest out of 74 constituencies in Greater London for the percentage of people with no qualifications.
“I believe local people need more help to stay in the education system, not less, and that’s why the Government’s decision to scrap EMA and replace it with a much smaller fund is so wrong. I fear it will mean even fewer constituents will be able to stay on in school and get the qualifications that will help them get good jobs.
“This week a damning Education Select Committee report said the Government should have acknowledged EMA’s positive impact on participation, attainment and retention before scrapping it. The effect the Government’s misguided policy will have on local colleges is starting to become clearer.
“This week Bexley College Principal Danny Ridgeway wrote to me to say that their grant under the Government’s replacement scheme will be totally inadequate for the needs of their students. He thinks the lack of funds will have a ‘severely detrimental effect’ on the ability of students to attend and complete their studies at Bexley College. That is a big concern and I have written to the Education Secretary as a matter of urgency.”
Read more in the News Shopper
