UCU: Public inquiry into FE

Motion

Motion text: Conference expresses its great concern at the poor level of management and the undemocratic and unaccountable nature of governance that exists currently in colleges throughout the UK.
In particular, Conference deplores:
The aggressive and confrontational stance being increasingly adopted by a growing number of College Principals
The move towards privatisation and the market-driven approach to educational provision.
The unacceptable mechanism for the appointment of the majority of members on governing bodies resulting in a self-perpetuating, nepotistic, unrepresentative, and unaccountable clique.
Increasing use by college managements and governing bodies of scarce public resources to engage expensive private consultancy firms.
Conference therefore calls on the Government to instigate a full public inquiry into the management and governance of the further education sector.