INSPECTORS from the Ministry Division of the Archbishops' Council have praised the quality of digital learning offered by the Southern Theological and Training Scheme (STETS), but expressed concern about the course's financial viability.

A report published last week expresses confidence in STETS in ten out of 16 criteria; "confidence with qualifications" in five criteria; and "no confidence" in its "financial policies and cost-effectiveness", because of concerns about a decrease in student numbers. A statement from STETS, issued in response, said that its trustees "have already implemented stringent measures to ensure STETS' financial viability for the future".

The inspectors were "greatly impressed by the quality of the Virtual Learning Environment developed by STETS, both in its quality of content and material and the way it supports distance learning".

STETS is "arguably the most ecumenically embedded course in the country", the report says. The recent withdrawal of URC students, however, and the impending with- drawal of Methodist students - owing to a motion passed by the Methodist Conference - meant that "STETS becomes for the fore- seeable future an almost exclusively Anglican course."

The full report can be downloaded here.