Protest against cuts to college funding to be held outside parliament

Students: EIS says the cuts will lead to decline in student numbers.

A protest against cuts to colleges across Scotland is to be held outside the parliament.

Lecturers and students are expected to gather on Wednesday to show their support for educational institutions.

Organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the rally aims to highlight the impact of cuts to funding for higher education.

Afterwards a delegation will meet with education secretary Mike Russell to hand over two petitions. One is about cuts to college budgets and the other about the management of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: "Further education is vital to Scotland, and essential to the country's economic recovery. This rally and petition hand-over will emphasise the importance of Scotland's Further Education sector, and highlight the damaging impact of the continuing deep cuts to college funding.

"I would urge lecturers, students and others to turn out to show display their strong support for Scottish Further Education."