The Perth UHI student president fears there is “a growing anxiety” among students as lecturers are set to strike during exam time due to a bitter pay dispute.

The industrial action is set to take place on May 8, 15 and 16 at colleges across the country, with lecturers also set to boycott the inputting of exam results into college management systems as a ‘withdrawal of goodwill’.

This latest action comes as members of the union EIS Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) across Scotland voted to continue strike action in a pay dispute with the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association.

The union is unhappy with the cost of living pay rise on offer from the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association after numerous negotiations - around a 12 per cent consolidated rise over three years.

Union and college staff members have already been on strike at the Perth UHI main campus entrance four times this year, in conjunction with nationwide action, for a cost of living pay rise which they say they have not had since 2016.

With the absence of faculty staff set to impact the students during May’s exams, president of Highlands and Islands Students Association (HISA) Perth, Prince Honeysett, expressed worry.

He said: “We are very concerned that there appears to be no end in this dispute while the lecturers have decided to escalate their industrial action.

“It is frustrating that the Scottish Government continue to sit on their hands during this dispute and not seek a resolution to a problem that they are ultimately responsible for.

“There has been growing anxiety amongst students over the impact of this dispute between their lecturers and Colleges Scotland.

“The escalated action will lead to further disruption for students as they look towards progression for next year.

“As assessments creep closer, students will quickly run out of patience for those responsible.”

In response, Scottish Government further education minister Richard Lochhead said: “I have recently met with both sides and asked that they redouble efforts to resolve this long-running dispute.

“It is encouraging that both parties plan to meet again and I hope that this meeting leads to successful resolution.”

Branch secretary for EIS-FELA and subject leader in management at Perth UHI, Sara O’Hagan, has previously said that there is a possibility planned action will be scrapped if demands are met.

She added: “If negotiations are not successful then, after the Easter holidays, there will be an escalation of action including a results boycott, withdrawal of goodwill and further strike days.”

John Gribben, director of employment services at Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association said: “We are extremely disappointed the EIS-FELA is committed to recklessly gambling with the futures of college students.

“We will continue to meet with the EIS-FELA to resolve this dispute for the sake of the students, who stand to lose out the most by the EIS-FELA’s reckless behaviour.”