Who ate all the Pies?

PUBLIC money is potentially being "squandered" on university students who graduate without the skills required for work, a former college boss has warned. (The Heraldscotland 6 November 2014)

Sue Pinder OBE comments in a new book of ideas to improve the education system compiled by the Scottish Conservatives!

We are surprised that Conservatives is plural! And we are outraged at the audacity of such an association with "improve the education system"!

However, first things first!  We think it is important that we answer the question that will be going through your mind - Sue who?

Sue was formerly the Principal of James Watt College in Greenock!

A letter sent to the Heraldscotland today .. whether it gets published or not - is here...

I find it somewhat morally contemptible that Sue Pinder can attribute the term “squandered” in reference to public money – Heraldscotland - Universities attacked for producing graduates lacking skills Thursday 6 November 2014

I would remind folks that she was the Principal of the then James Watt College who was under fire from staff regarding a pay deal that included her having six months garden leave at a reported salary of £133,000 – which means that she was paid around £66500 while reportedly on a round the world cruise (and adding six months to your pension!) That’s £66500 of public money! Talking money squandered!

Ms. Pinder went on to attack the “Scottish Government's "radical regionalisation" agenda, which began in 2010/11” stating "What started out as a series of draconian spending cuts, some £50m per annum, soon evolved into a direct attack on the governance, performance, leadership and management of the colleges".

She maybe needs reminding that it was her college who came under fire for paying 11 senior staff £5000 extra each with a report describing her college “as having a stressful, disorganised and badly led structure in place at its site in Kilwinning in North Ayrshire.”

“Even members of the institution's own management team described the college as badly led in the survey of staff, and also described the prevailing culture as unimaginative.”  Heraldscotland Friday 26 April 2013 College staff tell of flawed management

With the recent reports of Senior Managers leaving with £400k payouts and "garden leave" FE staff and students are struggling under, as she rightly says, "a series of draconian spending cuts"?

However, attacks on the Scottish Government should be about them leaving senior managers like her who took Further Education into a sector Professor Griggs called ‘unfit for purpose’ in his review for regionalisation!

The Government, well Mike Russell, then allows them to carve up the sector to suit themselves, some with whopping exit payments, colleges with bloated senior management structures and the salaries of Principals exceeding that of Cabinet Ministers and even the First Minister! More Public money squandered!

The Government is not doing anywhere near close enough with questioning and indeed auditing of the governance, performance, leadership and management of the Further Education colleges!

We, the public, need to see the FE Senior Management structures, remits and remuneration and, following reports of staff from Adam Smith College being arrested over allegations of fraud with the college having to pay back £5.5 million; HeraldScotland Wednesday 15 January 2014 -Arrests by police carrying out college fraud claims inquiry! , we need to be confident that this practice was restricted to this one college and such huge funds were not squandered!

Now we have a Glasgow College reportedly telling staff that they have over £13 million invested in ‘arms length trusts’. £13.3 million; this while they have cut staff to a level below what they need in some courses and they have drastically cut course provision! Why, if they have this public money!

Now then, who has really squandered the money?

Other reference: Greenock Telegraph

Anger at college pay deal
Byline Eric Baxter
Published: 27 Aug 2012 14:302
comments
JAMES Watt College staff say they are 'incensed' at a pay-off deal given to principal Sue Pinder. 
 

If interested readers should go to The Greenock Telegraph  and search Sue Pinder  - :o)