Chamber and committees

I share your concerns about the sector’s funding, as do colleges and universities. For example, Universities Scotland said that it is not necessarily the methodology that is the problem but the fact that university places for Scotland-domiciled students are chronically underfunded in Scotland and that there is more and more reliance on international students. Of course, the numbers of international students coming to Scotland are dropping. Does that context for universities and colleges concern you in relation to skills for the future?

May I press on that final point, convener?

Thank you. I might come back to you in a second, but first we will hear from Graham Hutton.

Could that be done quite quickly?

Good morning—I think that it still is morning. Thank you for answering our questions so far and for the work that you have put into your report. I will start with questions that are on the same theme that we have already discussed—leadership and reform—and then I will move on to funding. How will the Scottish Government taking responsibility for skills planning bring about the required culture change?

My final question is, what duplication did you notice in the system?

Sure.

Thank you. I suppose that that links back to your point about the ministerial stomach, which is important.

I will move on to ask about the role of colleges and universities, and the funding in that space. Colleges Scotland said that the skills framework that you have outlined, and skills in general in Scotland, rely on a strong college sector. Do you agree with that?

I do, convener, if that is okay. Good morning. Thank you for the answers that you have given so far and for the information that you submitted in advance, which has been helpful.

Dr Shapira, I want to pick up your point about whole subjects being abandoned and, particularly, on the point that, contrary to the aspiration of curriculum for excellence, fewer subjects are now being studied. As you have said in your report, there has been a decline in social subjects like arts and modern languages. Why do you think that is the case? What do we need to do about it?

Thank you.