Pastoral care vital for students, expert states

23 Nov 2009

It is vital for people taking degree courses to be taken care of by their institutions.

Higher education providers should offer pastoral care to students in addition to making available degree courses, according to a leading independent guide to UK universities.

As well as promoting educational excellence, it is vital for universities to care for students, especially when they face financial difficulties, said Johnny Rich editor of Push.co.uk.

The BBC reported recently that around 70,000 students are currently in financial difficulty and some have been forced to seek emergency funds as a result of delays in loan provisions.

Commenting on the situation, Mr Rich said that "students with nowhere to live will obviously have to consider very hard whether or not they want to continue with their studies".

"Universities are there to help young people make the transition from school and college into the wider world of work where they are responsible, proactive people."

Thanks to distance learning, students have a cheaper and flexible mode of study that offers professional as well as vocational qualifications.