A minister yesterday pledged to do ‘everything he could’ to save the Open University.
Giving evidence to MPs, Sam Gyimah said ensuring its survival was a matter of social justice because of the support it provides for disadvantaged students.
The universities minister is to meet OU leaders to discuss a rescue package.
His comments are the strongest indication so far of Government backing for an institution hit by falling numbers.
Earlier this month, Mr Gyimah joined Theresa May in pledging the OU would be a priority in a review of higher education due to be published next year.
The Daily Mail has been campaigning for the OU to get more help after student numbers dropped by 28 per cent over five years. The decrease coincided with fees trebling to make up for lower Government subsidies.
Sam Gyimah (left), pictured with former Prime Minster David Cameron, is due to meet OU figures to discuss a rescue package
The OU has been known as the ‘university of the second chance’ since many of its students are older and hold down jobs while they study part time.
During a hearing of the Commons education committee yesterday, Gateshead Labour MP Ian Mearns asked Mr Gyimah what had ‘gone wrong’ with the OU. He replied: ‘There are obviously serious concerns there.
‘That’s why a major issue in the terms of reference for the post-18 review is to look at part-time study.’
He added that the OU had received £48million in the last year from the Government and more support was in the pipeline. And he revealed he had arranged to meet Peter Horrocks, who resigned as OU chief a fortnight ago, as well as his replacement.
‘I am meeting with the outgoing vice-chancellor, and I will also meet with the incoming vice-chancellor as well to make sure that the Open University gets the support it deserves,’ he insisted. ‘I absolutely agree with the committee that if we are talking about real social justice then at all the different points in the education system we’ve got to make sure that we are responding to people’s needs.
‘Open University is obviously one of the largest providers of part-time education, it’s not the only one. But it is of such significance that I will do everything I can to make sure the Open University carries on doing the good work that it has been doing for the past 40 years.’ Mr Gyimah said he accepted that subsidy cuts ‘had not helped’ the trend of part-time numbers ‘unacceptably’ declining.
Sam Gyimah (left) taking part in an event with Priti Patel (centre) on the future direction of the Tory Party
The Mail’s campaign has garnered support from MPs from all parties including Justine Greening, Nicky Morgan, Robert Halfon, Vince Cable, Lucy Powell, James Frith and Gordon Marsden.
Mr Horrocks resigned almost two weeks ago following a vote of no confidence from staff unhappy about his plans to cut jobs and courses to save money.
During yesterday’s wide-ranging hearing, Mr Gyimah hinted there could be a possibility of maintenance grants being re-introduced following the higher education review but said he did not want to ‘second guess’ the result.
He also said universities should not be penalised for failing to admit enough poor students because the fault lay in ‘long standing issues within the education system’ including poor performance at schools.
Mr Gyimah vowed to ‘focus laser-like’ on high executive pay following figures showing the average vice-chancellor salary is £268,000. He said he wanted vice-chancellors kicked off remuneration committees to stop them having a hand in setting their own pay.