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From YouTube: Ministerial Statement: Supporting students through the global pandemic - 30 September 2020
Description
Ministerial Statement: Supporting students through the global pandemic
A
The
next
item
of
business
is
statement
by
richard
lockhead
on
supporting
students
through
the
global
pandemic.
The
minister
will
take
questions
at
the
end
of
his
statement,
and
so
there
should
be
no
interventions
or
interruptions,
and
I
call
on
richard
lockhead
for
up
to
10
minutes.
Please,
minister,.
B
B
I
know
it's
really
hard
right
now.
Indeed,
it's
heartbreaking,
especially
for
first
years,
who
may
have
already
missed
out
on
once-in-a-lifetime
experiences
such
as
final
school
exams
and
proms
and
traditional
freshers
weeks,
and
I
know
I
speak
for
the
whole
parliament.
Indeed
the
country
when
I
say
to
students,
I'm
truly
sorry
that,
due
to
the
pandemic,
your
introduction
to
college
and
university
life
is
not
what
you
or
your
families,
or
indeed
I
would
have
wanted
it
to
be.
B
It's
important
students
have
the
opportunity
to
continue
with
their
learning.
Limiting
access
to
education
has
a
negative
impact
on
their
personal
development,
their
well-being
and
life
chances,
and
our
country
also
needs
a
stream
of
talented
and
trained
individuals
and
either
world
leading
colleges,
universities
that
employ
many
many
people
and
underpin
the
scottish
economy.
B
That's
why
we
have
consistently
planned
for
some
face-to-face
teaching
in
colleges
and
universities
as
part
of
a
blended
return
to
campus
during
phase
three
of
the
government's
route
map.
This
approach
is
supported
by
recent
stage
advice
which
highlights
that
some
sectors,
such
as
research
and
health,
require
face-to-face
teaching.
B
It
also
highlights
the
impact
of
remote
learning
and
wider
health
and
well-being.
The
sage
report
states
changes
to
the
structure
of
higher
education
may
exacerbate
these
effects
by
decreasing
the
ability
of
people
to
make
friends,
engage
in
social
activities,
together
gossip
and
chat
and
interact
with
tutors
or
mentors,
as
well
as
by
increasing
the
difficulty
of
work
and
studying,
and
that
I'm
sure
you
all
agree
is
particularly
important
for
vulnerable
students
and
social
inclusion
and
for
first-years
who
have
already
missed
out
on
so
much
because
of
covet
against
the
backdrop
of
a
global
pandemic.
B
Along
with
stakeholders,
we
decided
asking
them
to
all
stay
at
home
and
begin
their
courses
online
would
have
inflicted
significant
harm
on
them
and
the
wider
further
in
higher
education
sectors.
In
scotland,
the
advice
also
pointed
out
the
risks
and
likelihood
of
covert
outbreaks.
When
the
new
academic
year
got
underway,
we
were
never
advised
to
keep
students
at
home,
but
we
were
advised.
B
The
mitigation
factors
were
vital
and
we
have
worked
together
with
colleges,
universities,
accommodation
providers,
unions
and
other
key
stakeholders
throughout
this
crisis
on
the
safe
return
of
further
education,
higher
education,
and
we
issued
sectoral
guidance
with
which
clearly
states
the
rules
we
expect
to
be
followed.
We've
worked
extensively
to
support
the
sectors
and
implementation
and
throughout
we
have
used
the
best
scientific
advice
available,
including
from
sage
and
helping
us
make
decisions
on
balancing
the
risks.
B
B
B
B
While
we
have
no
evidence
to
date
of
transmission
within
an
ferhe
teaching
setting,
we
do
have
outbreaks
amongst
our
student
population
with
significant
clusters
in
university
student
accommodation
from
the
approximately
250
000
students
who
attend
our
universities
every
year,
around
45
000,
give
or
take
of
them
usually
stay
in
student
halls,
with
around
43
percent
being
first
year
undergraduate
students
from
data
received
from
public
health.
As
of
today,
we
are
in
the
unfortunate
position
that
759
of
these
students
have
tested
positive
for
covid
and,
as
we
know,
many
more
are
self-isolating.
B
We
are
using
testing
in
line
with
our
published
testing
strategy,
to
ensure
it
will
have
the
greatest
impact
in
reducing
the
risk
of
disease
transmission
by
testing
those
with
symptoms.
So
those
with
covert
19
can
be
identified,
be
asked
to
self-isolate
and
their
close
contacts,
traced,
test
and
protect,
was
ready
for
the
new
academic
year
and
is
working.
B
But
of
course,
we're
always
working
to
improve
access
for
testing
for
for
students
and
the
wider
communities
kits
have
been
provided
in
mobile
test
units
dispatched
in
glasgow
and
dundee
and
they're
now
walking
through
test
centers
in
san
andreas
glasgow.
Aberdeen
and
edinburgh,
with
further
centres
in
sterling
and
glasgow
opening
the
next
week
or
so,
and
more
sites
under
development
as
well.
B
That's
why
everyone
with
symptoms
should
self-isolate,
along
with
their
household
now.
I've
heard
some
really
good
examples
of
how
institutions
are
supporting
isolating
students
such
as
providing
food
and
cleaning
materials
and
protecting
welfare
and
delivering
mental
health
support
as
well,
but,
like
others.
B
I've
also
been
disappointed
to
hear
from
some
who
have
been
struggling
to
access
that
support
or
information,
whether
you're,
a
student
from
scotland
or
elsewhere
in
the
uk,
away
from
home
for
the
first
time,
perhaps
or
one
of
the
tens
of
thousands
of
international
students
that
have
chosen
to
study
here
and
are
thousands
of
miles
away
from
home.
Each
and
every
student
deserves
the
utmost
support
and
anything
less
is
wholly
unacceptable.
B
B
We
are
six
months
into
this
pandemic
and
it's
far
from
over
in
light
of
the
outbreaks
and
cases
among
students,
we
must
now
redouble
our
efforts
to
control
clover.
19.
importantly,
we
want
students
to
have
the
option
to
return
home
safely.
At
christmas,
we
are
working
with
the
sector
and
the
best
approach
that
includes
looking
at
the
public
health
measures.
Staggering
term
end
dates
and
transport
considerations.
B
B
It's
also
the
case
that,
whilst
we
have
covert,
we
must
also
allow
our
citizens
to
learn
and
to
teach
and
educate
and
get
on
with
our
lives,
and
we
must
not
allow
the
virus
to
steal
one
of
the
most
important
years
in
the
lives
of
our
young
people.
We
can't
underestimate
how
tough
that
is,
but
to
staff
and
students.
I
say
again
thank
you
for
all.
B
A
C
Can
I
thank
the
minister
for
a
statement
and
I
thank
students
and
our
university
staff
for
their
efforts.
I
agree
on
the
importance
of
face-to-face
teaching,
but
the
current
situation
for
many
is
quite
bleak.
The
handling
of
recent
events
left
thousands
of
students
confused
over
guidance,
which
was
hastily
written
then
rewritten,
as
the
scottish
government
struggled
to
respond
to
circumstances
that
were
entirely
predictable,
students
were
told
last
friday
they
were
banned
from
going
to
the
pub
or
going
out
they
were
banned
from
returning
that
weekend
to
their
family
homes.
C
They
were
ordered
to
stay
in
their
halls
of
residence
on
mass,
despite
not
testing,
covert,
positive
or
being
tested
at
all,
with
many
given
no
physical
or
mental
support.
The
minister
is
keen
in
a
statement
to
stress
that
students
are
being
treated
equally
to
the
rest
of
us
in
society,
but
I
simply
say
to
him
speak
to
them.
Many
feel
like
they
are
not.
C
So
let
me
ask
for
some
clarity
on
the
following
minister,
given
the
virus
prevalence
on
campuses,
why
is
frequent
widespread
community
testing
among
students
still
not
being
introduced
with
the
obvious
benefits
that
that
will
bring?
Is
it
testing
capacity
or
some
other
reason
which
prohibits
it?
Why
is
the
government
asking
universities
simply
to
be
sympathetic
to
students
who
have
to
leave
their
accommodation
but
provides
no
comfort
or
indeed
certainty,
that
they
will
receive
refunds
for
accommodation
if
they
do
leave
and
guarantees
that
they
can
return?
C
And,
finally,
preserving
officer-
and
it's
important
point
of
process,
can
I
request
of
the
minister
that
future
major
and
important
changes
like
this
to
guidance
or
regulations
are
made
to
this
parliament
in
the
first
instance,
and
not
announced
in
the
hours
after
we
leave
this
building
and
then
changed
again
before
we
return
to
it?
It's
not
good
enough
for
us
as
a
starting
officer,
and
it's
certainly
not
good
enough
for
students.
B
B
Clearly
we
are
following
the
test
and
protect
regime
in
scotland,
which
the
advice
we've
had
in
terms
of
student
populations.
The
rest
of
the
population
is
the
focus
has
to
be
in
delivering
testing
capacity
for
students
with
symptoms
and
also
in
terms
of
international
students
arriving
from
certain
countries.
They
undertake
their
two
weeks
quarantining.
B
I
have
said-
and
we
know
that
in
england,
for
instance,
there's
a
couple
of
universities
involved
in
a
research
pilot
for
random
testing
and
perhaps
the
mass
testing
that
jamie
green
is
referring
to
and
we're
paying
close
attention
to
that
research
pilot
and
I've
said
in
scotland
we
will
explore.
We've
asked
public
health
officials
to
explore
if
there's
a
role
for
asymptomatic
testing
in
scottish
campuses
as
well.
So
you
know
we're
following
similar
testing
regime
as
elsewhere
in
the
uk,
and
I'm
not
sure
why
he
thinks
that's
the
right.
B
The
wrong
thing
to
do
is
following
advice
of
the
public
health
officials.
In
terms
of
the
guidance
I
mean,
we
publish
our
guidance,
the
first
of
september
for
the
safe
opening
of
our
campuses
for
colleges
and
universities.
We
worked
with
stakeholders
on
that
and
it
was
published
in
time
for
the
campuses
opening
in
terms
of
the
guidance
last
weekend,
we
issued
guidance
for
students,
so
they
could
understand
the
new
restrictions
that
had
only
been
in
place
in
scotland.
D
Thank
you,
presiding
officer.
The
truth
is
that
the
government
failed
to
prepare
a
plan
properly
for
students
return
and
then
panicking,
rewrote
and
contradicted
their
own
advice.
Every
few
hours
over
the
weekend,
communicating
randomly
by
press
release
and
tweet
universities
were
left
to
police
the
guidance
ever-changing
to
provide
food
and
to
refund
rents.
D
D
Today's
frankly
insipid
statement
will
provide
little
consolation
or
hope
at
least
at
least
ministers
admitted
that
they
got
the
sqa
results
wrong.
So
will
the
minister
admit
that
he
got
this
wrong
and
apologized
properly
to
scotland
students,
for
that?
Will
he
publish
all
the
advice
he
says
he
followed
and
the
stakeholder
discussions.
He
says
he
had
and
will
he
promise
universities
actual
financial
support
now
to
allow
them
to
support
students
and
to
refund
rents?
B
I'll
start
in
gray's
last
point
in
terms
of
financial
support
for
the
sector.
This
is
a
huge
challenge
for
scotland.
Students
is
also
a
huge
challenge
for
scotland's
universities
and
indeed,
an
extent
for
our
colleges
as
well
and,
of
course,
we're
having
regular
conversations
with
them
and
we'll
continue
to
discuss
the
financial
consequences
of
coping
with
the
outbreaks
and
indeed
the
current
situation
across
scotland,
so
we're
certainly
keeping
that
under
review.
B
In
terms
of
our
overall
approach,
I
explained
that
the
guidance
for
the
safe
reopening
of
colleges
and
campuses,
which
has
largely
been
adhered
to
and
we
have
no
evidence-
it's
not
being
adhered
to,
was
a
published
in
the
first
of
september
prior
to
the
opening
of
scotland's
universities,
which
opened
earlier
than
the
rest
of
the
uk.
A
similar
approach,
of
course,
was
taken
by
the
labour
government
in
wales,
the
conservative
government
down
south
and
indeed
the
northern
irish
administration.
A
E
Johnson,
thank
you
presiding
officer.
We
know
that
students
in
scotland
have
access
to
the
most
generous
level
of
financial
support
than
anywhere
else
in
the
uk.
So
can
ask
the
minister
what
discussions
he's
had
with
students
award
agency,
scotland
and
the
student
loans
company
to
ensure
that
students
who
may
need
to
submit
a
late
application
to
gain
access
to
financial
support
will
be
processed
and
awarded
as
quickly
as
possible.
B
We
have
had
many
conversations
with
the
student
loans
company
and
also
the
student
awards
agency
to
make
sure
that
we're
taking
into
account
the
extra
challenges
that
scotland
students
face
at
the
current
time,
and
they
have
already
introduced
some
flexibility
and
in
light
of
students
who
are
self-isolating
or
caught
up
in
the
current
situation.
Scotland
would
also
expect
that
to
be
the
same
approach
from
both
the
student
loans
company
and
the
student
awards
agency
in
scotland
as
well.
F
Thank
you.
The
minister's
statement
makes
clear
that
he
had
advice
highlighting,
and
I
quote
the
likelihood
of
covet
outbreaks
when
the
new
academic
year
got
underway,
and
we
know
at
least
one
advisor
to
the
scottish
government
had
advocated
routine
testing
of
students
on
arrival
and
then
again
on
a
short
interview
interval.
But
it's
only
now
that
the
scottish
government
is
exploring
the
merits
of
some
targeted
surveillance
testing.
So
can
I
ask
the
minister
I
raised
with
him
on
the
second
of
september.
B
Richard
lockheed,
we
have
a
test
protest
strategy
in
scotland
which
the
scottish
government
working
with
our
public
health
advisors
and
chief
medical
officer,
and
indeed
the
advisory
groups
who
give
us
the
scientific
advice
have
agreed
with
us
and
which
we
are
implementing
across
all
parts
of
scottish
society,
including
campuses,
and
that
is
that
we
should
focus
on
testing
students
or
any
citizens
in
scotland
who
have
symptoms
of
covet
and
ensuring
that
they
get
the
results
of
their
test.
And
then
their
contacts
are
traced,
and
that
is
working
well.
B
That
is
why
we
have
so
many
students,
unfortunately,
but
that's
why
we
have
students
self-isolating
and
have
identified
those,
so
we
can
protect
them
and
the
rest
of
society.
Now,
of
course,
testing's
always
developing
how
they're
delivered
the
results
they
can
give.
You
are
always
er
has
always
been
developed
and
our
scientists
are
taking
close
interest
and
where
that's
going
and,
of
course,
if
it
offers
further
opportunities
for
testing
regime
in
scotland,
I'm
sure
they'll
be
taken
on
board.
But
you
know
this
testing
regime
in
scotland,
england,
wales
and
northern
ireland.
G
Thank
you
for
joining
us
as
a
former
international
student.
I'd
be
grateful
if
the
minister
could
tell
me
what
reassurances
have
been
provided
to
international
students
who
will
be
feeling
extra
pressure
of
being
in
a
different
country
and
under
potentially
different
rules
as
compared
to
their
home
country.
B
I
have
discussed
with
our
universities,
as
I
know
they
are
aware
of
the
importance
of
supporting
your
international
students
at
this
time
and
indeed
that
work
has
been
underway
for
for
many
months,
given
that
this
global
pandemic
has
been
with
us,
and
you
know
for
months
and
months.
This
is
not
something
just
in
the
last
few
weeks.
So
it's
a
very
important
point
that
he
makes.
I
know
some
universities
are
offering
additional
support
to
international
students
at
the
current
time,
and
I
would
urge
them
all
to
do
that.
H
Followed
by
ross
greer.
Thank
you.
I
have
to
say
that
I
feel
this
statement
is
a
ministerial
catch-up
on
the
real
world
and
not
a
terribly
convincing
one
at
that.
But
can
I
ask
he
argues
for
the
benefits
of
blended
learning.
Students
were
told
coming
back
for
blended
learning,
we're
told
they
were
coming
back
for
blended
learning,
only
to
discover
that
their
learning
was
entirely
online.
So
did
he
have
an
agreed
definition
with
universities
and
colleges
on
what
blended
learning
actually
meant
and
when
and
how
was
that
shared
with
students,
richard
lockheed.
B
I
referred
my
opening
remarks
to
blended
learning
and
how
we
approached
that,
and
you
know
I've
explained
that
department
already
clearly.
We
have
said
to
universities
and
worked
with
them
closely:
working
with
stakeholders,
the
trade
unions
and
student
organizations,
as
well
as
the
universities
and
colleges
themselves
that,
where
we
are
with
the
pandemic,
means
that
there
will
be
many
many
cases
where
students
can
learn
online,
but
they'll
always
be
requirement
to
some
degree
for
face-to-face
teaching.
B
We've
also
said,
as
it
indicated
in
my
opening
remarks,
that
if
any
student
at
the
current
time
is
uncomfortable
because
of
where
we
are
the
virus
and
the
virus
has
been
increasing
in
scotland
for
some
weeks
now,
then
the
universities,
the
teacher,
the
lecturers,
should
be
very
sympathetic
if
those
teach
if
those
students
want
to
have
more
online
teaching
and
less
face-to-face.
But
there
are
some
courses
for
face-to-face,
is
absolutely
essential.
B
I
Rennie.
Thank
you.
I
appreciate
that
some
of
the
issues
that
I
wrote
to
the
minister
about
have
been
answered
here,
but
what
I
don't
understand
is
the
lack
of
detail
and
what
seems
like
a
lack
of
urgency
around
some
of
this.
So
can
the
minister
tell
us
what
specifically
the
additional
support
the
government's
considering
for
self-isolating
students
is
when
a
decision
will
be
made
on
and
when
that
support
will
be
delivered
because
they're
isolating
now
richard
lockheed.
B
J
Three
sets
of
guidance
in
four
days
is
just
not
good
enough.
The
minister
was
warned
about
this
for
months
and
he
ignored
those
warnings.
He
should
just
have
the
good
grace
to
apologize
to
students
right
across
the
country.
The
asymptomatic
testing
reasons
against
it
seem
to
be
constantly
changing.
Today.
It
seems
to
be
an
issue
of
capacity.
J
B
Well,
we
take
advice
from
our
public
health
professionals.
It's
not
my
decision
as
higher
education
minister
on
what
the
testing
regime
is
in
scotland,
but
our
advice
at
the
moment
and
up
to
now
has
been
the
focus
is
on
testing.
Anyone
in
scotland,
including
students
who
have
symptoms
and
other
forms
of
testing,
have
potentially
a
role
to
play,
but
clearly
because
the
in
terms
of
asymptomatic
testing,
because
the
virus
could
be
incubating
it's
only
as
good
as
the
test
result
on
that
day.
B
So
they
may
well
actually
have
the
virus
and
it's
not
picked
up
by
the
test
and
therefore
focusing
on
those
who
have
symptoms
and
then
tracing
those
to
come
into
contact
with
and
asking
them
to.
Self-Isolate
is
advice.
We've
had
from
the
public
health
professionals
in
scotland,
but
of
course
we
are
keeping
that
under
review
and
I,
as
higher
education
minister
in
the
context
of
our
campuses,
etc,
will
continue
to
listen
to
the
advice
we
receive.
K
B
Thank
you
that
money
is
now
available
to
our
universities
and
foreign
higher
education
to
ensure
that
no
one's
left
behind
because
clearly
there's
a
big
emphasis
on
urgent
people
to
study
online
where
that's
appropriate,
and
it's
ensure
that
no
one
is
left
without
the
equipment.
To
do
that,
I
understand
the
universities
and
colleges
have
already
been
using
their
own
funds
to
make
sure
that
happens.
But
the
five
million
pounds
is
also
there
as
an
insurance
policy
and
no
doubt
will
be
required
due
course.
L
B
There's
been
no
return
to
the
scottish
government
in
this
issue.
I'm
not
absolutely
sure
we
are
referring
to
in
terms
of
the
guidance
in
terms
of
the
guidance
for
the
students
who
are
being
asked
to
not
socialize.
Last
weekend,
we
endorsed
the
university
of
scotland
approach
to
make
that
ask.
I
do
accept,
though.
I
do
accept,
though,
that
the
communication
was
not
perfect
and
some
of
the
newspaper
headlines
or
other
headlines.
I
saw
spoken
about
bands
talking
about
bands.
It
was
not
helpful
and
I'm
not
approaching
blame
for
that.
B
M
Thank
you,
deputy
presiding
officer,
and
can
I
welcome
the
minister's
statement
that
a
mobile
testing
unit
has
been
dispatched
to
dundee?
Can
you
provide
more
information
on
when
the
unit
will
be
in
place
and
operational
and
where
it
will
be
located
and
in
a
statement
that
the
minister
says
that
they'll
be
further
walking
walk
through
test
centres
under
active
development?
B
Thanks
robinson
for
a
question
I
do
understand
yes,
and
I'm
told
that
dundee
is
under
consideration
for
a
city
centre,
testing,
location
in
watkins
centre
and
there's
conversations
going
on
with
nhs
t
side,
alberta,
university
and
other
stakeholders
about
that.
So
hopefully
we'll
be
able
to
update
the
member
and
parliament
on
that.
As
soon
as
we
can.
N
N
O
What
thank
you
presiding
officer?
I
asked
this
question
following
a
visit
to
robert
gordon
university
in
my
constituency
to
see
what
measures
they
were
taking
and
can
I
ask
the
cabinet
secretary
what
steps
are
being
taken
to
ensure
deliveries
of
foods
and
other
essentials
to
those
self-isolating
whether
the
scottish
government
can
facilitate
a
dialogue
between
universities
and
supermarkets
to
prioritize
deliveries
for
those
self-isolating
not
only
in
halls
but
in
smaller
units
of
accommodation
too.
Richard.
B
Lockheed
yeah,
thank
you
maureen.
What
for
that
question,
and
a
few
days
ago
I
met
the
covered,
leads
for
each
university
in
scotland
who
are
coordinating
the
strategies
at
local
levels
in
each
campus
to
make
sure
that
self-isolating
students
get
the
supplies,
medicines
and
foods
they
require
and
clearly
in
terms
of
also
involving
the
supermarkets.
I
will
ensure
that
they're
taking
that
point
forward
as
well.