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I write in cross-sectoral support of Ruth Gee's reasonable plea for better recognition of further education (É«ºÐÖ±²¥S, February 9). Not only the sheer size of the further education student population but also its social diversity should cause anyone with a political interest in education to give the sector serious attention. Let us remember that (without playing Peter off against Paul), while the top-up fee/student loan debate rumbles on as if university students are the only real students around.

Tom Schuller

Centre for continuing education

University of Edinburgh