Private schools concerned over UK student visa rules
June 02 2009 by Robbie Ragless
Private schools that are hoping to attract foreign students are finding the new stricter student visa rules, in place to prevent bogus schools from taking immigrants, are making it difficult for them.
The new rules, which require schools, colleges and universities to seek a license before taking on foreign students, are designed to protect the UK from people working illegally and from terrorists.
However, the Independent Schools Council says regulations “must be proportionate” claiming that the new measures have created huge obstacles for schools that want to take on foreign students.
The Council’s chief executive, David Lyscom, is due to speak at a Council conference and will state that the UK visa regulations, "make it very difficult for Chinese children to come to our schools. This cannot be right. The key message for our politicians is that regulation must be focused and proportionate."
Lyscom says that private schools have weathered the economic storm well, with few parents moving their children out of private education in response to the recession. However, he says that regulation, including the new visa regime, is now the biggest threat to private schooling.
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