Protest at Alloa college campus as final decision on potential closure looms<br /><br />A meeting will be held on Friday to make the final decision on the future of the campus.<br />Staff, students, union members and politicians rallied outside the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College against its threatened closure, with a final decision on its future to be taken at a crunch meeting this week.<br /><br />Forth Valley College will decide on Friday whether the Alloa site will remain open to staff and students given its three-campus model is “no longer financially sustainable”.<br /><br />The college, which also has campuses in Falkirk and Stirling, said its financial predicament had been caused by a drop in real-term funding, rising staff costs, higher energy costs and a 10 per cent credit reduction since the 2023/24 session.<br /><br />GMB Scotland, representing workers across Scotland’s colleges, said the the threatened closure of the Alloa campus exposed a “national”crisis” in the funding of the sector.<br /><br />Keir Greenaway, GMB senior organiser in public services, urged ministers to urgently support colleges to avert potentially catastrophic cuts to courses and jobs.<br /><br />He said: “This is not a looming financial crisis but a financial crisis happening right now, a national emergency demanding emergency action.<br /><br />“Our colleges are the rock the further education sector is built on and equip students with the skills and knowledge needed in a modern, successful country.<br /><br />“If the Scottish Government understands that, it is not obvious.<br /><br />“It is beyond time for ministers to listen to college staff and understand the scale of the threat to our campuses, not only in Alloa but across the sector.<br /><br />“The crucial work of Forth Valley and our other colleges is being sabotaged by needless cuts and uncertainty when it demands respect, recognition and proper funding.”
