THE DEEPLY unpopular Teaching Excellence Frame (Tef) work is failing students, hated by lecturers and not fit for purpose concludes a report released today by the University and College Union (UCU).
University of Manchester student Ellen Lawrence-Clery said: ‘We’re against the Tef. They claim they are using this framework to bring up the quality of teaching with research.
‘They are using Tef to grade universities gold, silver and bronze. The higher ranked ones will be allowed to increase tuition fees above inflation.’
Eight in 10 staff (81%) said they do not believe the Tef helps inform potential students’ university choices. While seven in 10 (71%) said it failed to recognise and reward teaching excellence.
As well as being not fit for purpose, the report by Professor Matt O’Leary, Dr Vanessa Cui and Dr Amanda French from Birmingham City University – also found that the Tef is deeply unpopular with staff, with just one in 10 (10%) welcoming its introduction.
The findings, based on a survey of nearly 6,000 university staff, follow a Department for Education study that revealed fewer than half of students (43%) were aware of the Tef when they applied to university.
UCU head of policy Matt Waddup said: ‘This report shows that the Tef has next to no support among university staff.
‘The current review is the perfect opportunity to dump the Tef and establish a better approach based on the real needs of staff and students.’