This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23054513

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MSPs debate Post-16 education reforms ahead of vote MSPs back post-16 education reforms
(about 17 hours later)
Plans for changes to further and higher education in Scotland are due to debated ahead of a vote at Holyrood. Controversial legislation aimed at widening access to higher education has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs will discuss the government's Post 16 Education Bill before deciding whether to pass it into law. Opposition parties voted against the Post 16 Education bill after they accused the government of trying to interfere in how universities are run.
Ministers have said the reforms will widen access to education, with an emphasis on helping more people from poorer backgrounds go to university. Labour said calling the bill a dog's breakfast was unfair to the pet food industry.
But opposition parties have previously criticised the bill, saying it is "poorly drafted" and "confused". But ministers said the new law would help students from poorer backgrounds get a degree.
The proposals are wide-ranging and include reforms to the way colleges and universities are run. The proposals, which were back by 65 votes to 51, are wide-ranging and include reforms to the way colleges and universities are run.
The bill will place arrangements to try to bring in more students from a wider range of backgrounds onto a statutory footing.The bill will place arrangements to try to bring in more students from a wider range of backgrounds onto a statutory footing.
Some universities were concerned the details of how to do this could have interfered with their historic autonomy - but proposed amendments appear to have eased their worries.Some universities were concerned the details of how to do this could have interfered with their historic autonomy - but proposed amendments appear to have eased their worries.
In March, the Post-16 Education Bill was backed in principle by parliament at its first stage by 64 votes to 54.In March, the Post-16 Education Bill was backed in principle by parliament at its first stage by 64 votes to 54.
Speaking then, Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "The clear message I am hearing from learners, staff and institutions is that the principles and policy objectives identified are the right ones."Speaking then, Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "The clear message I am hearing from learners, staff and institutions is that the principles and policy objectives identified are the right ones."