Equal opportunities in higher education

Citation

(2000), "Equal opportunities in higher education", Education + Training, Vol. 42 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2000.00442fab.001

Equal opportunities in higher education

Equal opportunities in higher education

Keywords Equal opportunities, Higher education

The Government is urging higher-education institutions to take further measures to ensure equal opportunities for ethnic minorities in higher education (HE). The Higher Education Funding Council has been given guidance on the importance of racial equality in university policies. Ethnic minorities have good entry rates into HE. But there is evidence that ethnic-minority graduates do less well in the labour market. The Government stresses the need for improved career guidance and information for all students, but especially those from ethnic minorities.

Meanwhile, a booklet of guidance for, and case studies of, good practice in implementing New Start for young people from ethnic minorities has been published by the Department for Education and Employment. New Start targets people aged 14-17 who are not in learning or are at risk of leaving prematurely. A New Start for Minority Ethnic Young People identifies the key principles for working effectively with ethnic-minority young people. It emphasises the need to recognize diversity and different local circumstances. The booklet shows that:

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  the GCSE attainment of pupils with Indian backgrounds is higher than that of white people;

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  black Caribbean pupils are much more likely to be excluded from school; and

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  Bangladeshis are the least likely to be in education, training or work after the age of 16.