Member News
By Tony Grew - 16th August 2011
The public accounts committee has said that there needs to be more consistent information about the performances of education providers for the 16 to 18 education market to work effectively.
The committee of MPs said without it students find it difficult to make informed judgements about their courses and what they lead to.
The PAC said the system governing the education of 16- to 18-year-olds is devolved and complex.
The department for education has overall responsibility, while the Young People's Learning Agency funds education providers and monitors their performance.
Local authorities have a duty to secure provision but they have limited powers, and having duties without powers cannot work effectively.
The Skills Funding Agency oversees provision for students over the age of 19, on behalf of BIS, and has lead responsibility for general further education colleges.
The PAC said where a provider's performance is poor, there must be "clarity about the criteria for intervention, and the timing and extent of intervention".
"Neither is fully in place at present, leading to negative consequences for students, and limiting the speed and effectiveness of actions to deal with poor performance."
PAC chair Margaret Hodge said:
"There has been an overall improvement in the educational achievements of 16 to 18-year-olds over the last four years, but more needs to be done to ensure that choice operates effectively in the market.
"Students in larger institutions have generally achieved better results. Smaller providers could achieve some of the benefits of size, such as economies of scale and improvements to quality and choice, through collaboration.
"However, the competitive market in which providers operate can act as a barrier to cooperation.
"Institutions are currently answerable to a complex web of agencies, governors and students. The education department needs to simplify the accountability framework for the sector to avoid over-burdening providers."
Hodge said the government's plan to replace educational maintenance allowance with a bursary scheme has not been properly assessed, in particular "the potential impact on participation in education and training, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds".
"The committee will return to this issue," she said.
The government's policy is to require young people to continue participating in education and training until the age of 18.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
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