Protest at Alloa college campus as final decision on potential closure looms
A meeting will be held on Friday to make the final decision on the future of the campus.
Staff, students, union members and politicians rallied outside the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College against its threatened closure, with a final decision on its future to be taken at a crunch meeting this week.
Forth Valley College will decide on Friday whether the Alloa site will remain open to staff and students given its three-campus model is “no longer financially sustainable”.
The college, which also has campuses in Falkirk and Stirling, said its financial predicament had been caused by a drop in real-term funding, rising staff costs, higher energy costs and a 10 per cent credit reduction since the 2023/24 session.
GMB Scotland, representing workers across Scotland’s colleges, said the the threatened closure of the Alloa campus exposed a “national”crisis” in the funding of the sector.
Keir Greenaway, GMB senior organiser in public services, urged ministers to urgently support colleges to avert potentially catastrophic cuts to courses and jobs.
He said: “This is not a looming financial crisis but a financial crisis happening right now, a national emergency demanding emergency action.
“Our colleges are the rock the further education sector is built on and equip students with the skills and knowledge needed in a modern, successful country.
“If the Scottish Government understands that, it is not obvious.
“It is beyond time for ministers to listen to college staff and understand the scale of the threat to our campuses, not only in Alloa but across the sector.
“The crucial work of Forth Valley and our other colleges is being sabotaged by needless cuts and uncertainty when it demands respect, recognition and proper funding.”
