ABSTRACT

Since further education was removed from the control of local education authorities and colleges were made independent (known as the incorporation of the sector), the sector has been forced to compete for numbers in a quasi-marketplace. I will not comment on the rights and wrongs on incorporation, but it does throw up a significant problem for archaeology. A subject like Archaeology will always recruit smaller numbers than, say, Geography. If it is offered in only one or two local colleges, then there are enough numbers to go around. What is happening increasingly, however, is that institutions are battling to recruit limited numbers. In reality, rather than one course of twelve students running, two or three smaller classes fail to happen. This is, of course, very unfortunate. It is up to further education providers to make sensible arrangements between themselves to ensure the continuation and success of minor courses.