School bursaries, which for many years encouraged senior pupils to stay on at school, may be the latest casualty of council cutbacks. Cosla’s education forum was persuaded by Glasgow and Edinburgh not to recommend bursary levels for next year, the first time Cosla has departed from urging fee rates on member councils. Officials had proposed freezing the bursaries at this year’s standard rate of Pounds 19.20 a week.
Malcolm Green, Glasgow’s education convener, said the city council would be likely to reduce bursary payments, effectively ignoring Cosla’s advice. Edinburgh is considering ending school bursaries altogether.
The Cosla move affects only grants that remain in the hands of councils following the transfer of FE student awards to the colleges. This includes support for courses not available in Scottish colleges.
