I am standing for the Block of 12 on the back of my experience as President of my students’ union at Worcester College of Technology because I think it’s high time that effective FE officers were elected to the NEC to put their experience to good use for the benefit of students’ unions across the UK
My manifesto is based on the following themes:
- FURTHER EDUCATION UNION DEVELOPMENT: because students need effective, campaigning students’ unions but most students’ unions in the FE sector are still fighting for the basics. This would be my priority as an NEC member.
- ACTIVE LIBERATION CAMPAIGNS IN EVERY COLLEGE: because although the Further Education sector is diverse, it is not immune from prejudice and discrimination. Every student deserves the right to study free from discrimination, bullying and harassment but most colleges don’t have any liberation representation at all.
- SEXUAL HEALTH: In addition to the sexual health epidemic affecting alarming numbers of young people, there is little relevant information, advice and guidance for the majority of students in FE who are mature. Yet many college corporations actively obstruct students from campaigning on these issues. Forget handing out condoms - many colleges forbid unions from putting up posters!
- HE IN FE: This is a massive area of expansion that many FE and HE unions are struggling to deal with. I want to focus on promoting effective partnerships between HE and FE students’ unions but also ensure that HE students in FE are receiving a high quality of education and effective student representation.
Student officers don’t just need toolkits or the ridiculous maze of information on Officeronline, they need a real person on the phone and on campus who understands the issues they’re dealing with, the challenges they face and can offer first hand experience. FE unions have recently benefited from two effective VP FE’s, but one person on an NEC of 27 is not enough to support, develop and champion the majority of NUS’ membership in FE.
I have a record of campaigning effectively and successfully for students at my own college and the added advantage of still being a current student. I would love the opportunity to put this experience to good use for the benefit of students’ unions in Further and Higher Education sector and it’s on that basis that I ask for your support.
Please let me know what you think!
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