UK Govt Steps up for Quality Education in the Universities

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An UK government body is set up to solely oversee the quality of education in the universities. Sanctions have been imposed for universities and colleges in England based on drop-out rates, course completion and graduate employment.

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The UK's Office for Students (OfS) has recently published mandatory drop-out rates, degree completion, and graduate employment standards for England's universities and colleges. Universities who don’t meet these thresholds might face penalties or limitations. The government's student loan funding scheme supports England's universities and colleges, and the OfS is in charge of ensuring the quality of higher education. Recently, it has been discovered that certain institutions are offering low standards of education. These universities also use up a significant amount from the funding given by the govt that in turn deprives the deserving universities providing high quality education from adequate financial aid.

Ofs decided upon the punishments and penalties based on the student census. As per the findings from the census, it is clear that 90 percent of students value and are interested in teaching quality, whereas 65 percent have a notion that quality of education is measured by the ability to find jobs after graduation. Universities must demonstrate that 80 percent of students continue in the second year and that three-quarters of those admitted complete their degrees until graduation. Universities must also concentrate and give stress on the social quotient of courses, as well as business creation and skill enhancement, according to Alistair Jarvis (Universities of UK, Chief Executive). The Ofc has also issued standards of quality of teaching for colleges to follow in order to track it. The elements affecting student well-being before and after graduation, as well as their influence and contribution on company productivity, were covered under these guidelines. The institutions are willing to work with OfS, but believe that the regulators will not be able to help them much.

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Fear of these punishments, according to Jo Grady (University and College Union General Secretary), would cause institutions to reject students who show promise but do not guarantee progress. He believes that these consequences may wind up harming pupils rather than benefiting them. Sanctions, according to Nicola Dandridge (OfS, Chief Executive), will be historic in controlling the decline in educational quality. She also noted that the organization is committed to cracking down on courses that do not give students a significant return on their investment.

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