The Green Paper TEF and Implications for Universities

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The Green Paper, TEF and Implications for Universities by Dr Elizabeth Lawrence UCU President

The Green Paper, TEF and Implications for Universities by Dr Elizabeth Lawrence UCU President

Introduction – themes of talk � What is Higher Education for? � What do

Introduction – themes of talk � What is Higher Education for? � What do we mean by marketisation and privatisation? � The impact of marketisation and privatisation to date � The Green Paper � Regulation of the HE sector � Implications for students � Teaching Excellence Framework � UCU response 2

What is Higher Education for? Humanistic values surrounding education The development of human beings

What is Higher Education for? Humanistic values surrounding education The development of human beings The education of citizens for a democratic society Enjoyment in learning Advancement of knowledge and science Contribution to a better society, economic regeneration, social welfare and social justice Preparation for employment (not employability) 3

What do we mean by marketisation and privatisation? How is a market created in

What do we mean by marketisation and privatisation? How is a market created in higher education? Can a degree be a commodity? Can education be bought? How many forms can privatisation take? ◦ Charging fees/students as ‘customers’ ◦ Selling qualifications, ‘buying learning’ ◦ Outsourcing/sub-contracting of areas of work – catering, security, teaching etc. ◦ Growth of private for-profit providers of Higher Education 4

The impact of marketisation and privatisation to date The impact on the status and

The impact of marketisation and privatisation to date The impact on the status and role of students – the rise of the customer discourse The National Student Survey Growth in the number of posts with ‘business’ and ‘management’ in the job title The decline of collegiality and democratic governance Discourse around ‘business’ not ‘service’ Changes in employment status and conditions for some groups of workers 5

The Green Paper A privatisation agenda – belief in markets Proposed new regulatory body

The Green Paper A privatisation agenda – belief in markets Proposed new regulatory body replacing HEFCE and OFFA with Of. S (Office for Students) Linking of fees to TEF scores Metrics for TEF- danger of proxy metrics, e. g. NSS scores as a measure of student learning Increase in number of HEIs, quicker route to degree-awarding powers HEIs entering and leaving the sector more rapidly 6

Regulation of the Higher Education Sector Some regulation is needed around: ◦ Right to

Regulation of the Higher Education Sector Some regulation is needed around: ◦ Right to university title, degree awarding powers and academic standards ◦ Academic freedom and governance ◦ Provision for students ◦ Employment conditions of staff ◦ Finance How can the regulatory framework support the sector and not create excessive workloads or take major resources away from research and teaching? 7

Implications for students Linking of increased tuition fees to TEF scores Not all students

Implications for students Linking of increased tuition fees to TEF scores Not all students are geographically mobile and able to relocate to complete studies. What is a degree worth if the HEI closes after the student has graduated? Does the ‘market value’ fall? Whose children will go to HEIs likely to close? How will graduates obtain validation of qualifications or references from an HEI which has closed? 8

Teaching Excellence Framework What would UCU members like to see in terms of rewarding

Teaching Excellence Framework What would UCU members like to see in terms of rewarding and valuing good teaching? De-casualisation of the workforce; More time on our work plans for small group and individual time with students; Promotion for good teaching; Support for HEA membership and staff development activities in HE pedagogy. 9

How should UCU respond? Working with allies to defend educational values and academic freedom

How should UCU respond? Working with allies to defend educational values and academic freedom Challenging privatisation The need to unionise the private sector of Higher Education and improve employment conditions there Implications of TEF for workloads and pedagogic freedom Threats to student welfare Risk of institutional and departmental closures – loss of jobs and educational provision 10