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I write in cross-sectoral support of Ruth Gee's reasonable plea for better recognition of further education (THES, 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