Report reveals widening education gap
Oct 19 2009 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal
THE North East is falling foul of a widening education gap, a damning new report has revealed.
Research released by University and College Union today claims to have exposed a postcode lottery of educational achievement between the “haves and have-nots”.
The report shows the percentage of the population not educated to degree-level is below average in 11 of the 13 constituencies across Tyne and Wear.
Nine of the constituencies are also shown to have an above average number of people without any qualifications. The figures show someone living in Tynemouth is nearly twice as likely to have a degree as someone living in parts of Sunderland, while constituents in Tyne Bridge are more than twice as likely to have no qualifications as someone living in central Newcastle.
Tyne and Wear was among 21 city areas analysed in the report, which shows “enormous” regional variations in achievement.
Campaigners believe the figures show the gap between people living in under-achieving areas and those in traditionally strong educational areas was getting worse, despite £1.9bn being spent on trying to widen university participation since 2005.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “The current Government has rightly prioritised investment in education, but this report shows the problem is even more deep-seated than previously thought and is a challenge for all the parties. Education holds the key to improving social mobility, tackling poverty and extending opportunity for all.
