Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Education and Skills Bill
10:30 am
John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; South Holland and The Deepings, Conservative)
The Association of Colleges gave evidence to this Committee on 22 January, as I am sure you know. I asked them what they felt about the new duty placed on colleges to promote good attendance. Sue Dutton of the association saw this duty as an extension to collect information on education maintenance allowances. Her view was that:
“It is obviously onerous on institutions to have to collect that level of detail,”——[Official Report, Education and Skills Public Bill Committee, 22 January 2008; c. 28, Q69.]
How do you interpret the duty contained in the Bill to promote good attendance? How will colleges work with local education authorities to enforce these arrangements —are you resourced, geared up and staffed specifically to do this job?