Unhealthy trend

While it is commendable that more higher education students should go to further education colleges ("Cinderella steps out", THES, April 16), FE colleges do not have the tradition, or culture, of research and "scholarly activities".

For over five years I managed an HE-validated course in an FE college and was expected to have the usual teaching caseload. When I asked about remission for managing the course and research, I was laughed at.

The trend for providing HE courses under FE conditions and salaries is not a healthy one.

Geoffrey Peake