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Equality and Diversity

November 7th, 2011

The week that was…

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Equality and Diversity

November 7th, 2011

The week that was…

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Last week, it emerged that bullied schoolchildren are being advised to act ‘less gay’, the high court case against trebling of tuition fees begun and vice-chancellor of University of Wolverhampton called for HE policy to consider mature students. 

The ‘Anti-Bullying Work’ report, compiled by Essex County Council, has revealed that bullied schoolchildren are being advised by teachers to act ‘less gay’. The report is based on anecdotal evidence and says, “The school where the ‘act less gay’ comments were made is not named, but the council has called on teachers to think hard about their advice.” According to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, two thirds of lesbian, gay and transgender students had suffered bullying, and 17 per cent had received death threats.

On that note, if you haven’t already, see the short film produced by Liverpool University staff and students on the inappropriate use of the word ‘gay’.

Prof Geoff Layer, writing for the Guardian, welcomes a new study of mature students being undertaken by the university think-tank million+ and the National Union of Students (NUS). Though mature students form a significant portion of the diverse UK student body, they are often overlooked. Prof Layer argues, “If the Higher Education White Paper ‘putting students at the heart of the system’ really means what it says then the views and experiences of mature students need to inform future thinking.”

Finally, two teenagers have begun a case in the high court against the increase in tuition fees. Callum Hurley and Katy Moore, both 17, argue that the decision to raise fees to up to £9,000 a year from next autumn contravenes human rights and equality legislation. The case, which is being heard by Mr Justice King and Lord Justice Elias, has been urged to come to a conclusion within weeks because thousands of students have already started applying for university places for next autumn. Statistics recently published by the Universities and Colleges and Admissions Service (UCAS), showed a near 12 per cent drop in the number of UK candidates.
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Equality and Diversity

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