In the world of education campaigning, nearly every stakeholder has used Tony Blair's mantra to 'education, education, education' to lobby, persuade and hold the government to account.
While Gordon Brown is well known for his commitment to education issues - the skills agenda and building a 'knowledge' economy to name but a few - it is interesting that none of his new cabinet has the word 'education' in their job titles, says Gemma Tumelty, president of the National Union of Students.
The split of the DfES between schools and universities into DIUS and the DSCF is a move we broadly welcome. It is absolutely right that skills are prioritised and that the link between the skills agenda and the HE sector is made explicit. But the NUS has a number of concerns.
What of FE, the so-called middle child? Clearly, there is to be increased focus on the sector and its role in skilling and reskilling the work force but where does the current arrangement leave adult education?
And when I say education, I mean for it's own sake. Where will an adult over 25 of age do their A-levels so they can access that long-dreamt-of degree course, if the focus of 16-19 education reform leads to the majority of A-levels being taken in school sixth forms?
Equally, where will this leave the post-16 students who want to study their A-levels or diplomas in an FE college, if demand-led means vocational skills will dominate what's on offer?
We hope that the government can reassure us that further education, as well as training, is safe in the custody of these two departments.
And we also hope that there is no sting in the tail to the recent announcement on improving and widening access to grants.
Though we welcome the improved student finance package, we won't be taken in by any sweeteners. We will still be asking for a full and thorough review of the top up fees system as well as campaigning against any moves to apply commercial rates of interest to student loans - something that may be claimed is necessary to finance the proposed loans 'holidays'.
Inevitably, allowing graduates the benefit of flexible repayments will come at a huge cost to the treasury. Quite rightly, DIUS guaranteed that teaching money would not be raided to fund the implementation of the proposals. We are adamant that individual students should not pay the price. Offering potential students greater financial incentives should not come at the expense of graduates.
Change is upon us. Lets hope that we can make sure it is change for the better.
