Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has today (Thursday) written to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council urging him to reassess the funding arrangements currently being applied to Banff & Buchan College.
Mr Stevenson has also sought a meeting with the Funding Council after being informed that some of the College’s most important courses such as Engineering and Maritime studies are being undervalued by the current funding formula.
The move comes after the Scottish Parliament endorsed a motion on 1 October that encourages the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, in allocating funds to the sector, to recognise the particular needs of colleges in rural areas.
Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:
“Banff and Buchan College is a first class educational facility that continues to provide excellent opportunities for young people from Aberdeenshire to develop skills that will support their transition from school to employment.
“I am particularly concerned that the current funding formula disadvantages subjects such as engineering and maritime studies at the College which are key to ensuring the employability of students in the oil and gas sector.
“The Scottish Parliament has recognised the massive contribution rural institutions such as Banff & Buchan make to surrounding communities and I am therefore urging the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council to reassess the future funding arrangements being applied to the College.”
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
