Jack Pringle calls move elitist and ill-judged in latest attack on regulators education reformsRIBA has described a proposal by Arb to restrict which learning providers can award qualifications as elitist and ill-judged.The institutes latest attack on the regulators educational reforms has come in a response to an Arb consultation proposing a change to the wording of Accreditation Rule 4.2 from qualification awarding powers to degree awarding powers.Jack Pringle said the proposed reforms were elitist and ill-judgedThis would require any learning provider applying for accreditation of a masters level or equivalent qualification to have degree awarding powers, or a formal agreement with a body with such powers.It means that learning providers which do not hold degree awarding powers or a formal agreement with a body which has such powers would be immediately disqualified from Arb accreditation, according to RIBA.> Also read:ARB launches comprehensive overhaul for registration of international architectsThe proposals are part of Arbs reforms of architectural education aiming to diversify the profession by increasing access to qualification.A key plank of the reforms would be replacing part 1, part 2 and part 3 qualifications with a two-part approach to improve access to the profession, and basing this on a new set of competency outcomes putting emphasis on what an architect can do instead of what they are taught.But while RIBA has supported the reforms in principle, it has been a long-standing critic of the regulators strategy for the changes.> Also read:RIBA says Arb education reforms lack detail on climate and building safety skillsRIBA board chair Jack Pringle said the changes to accreditation rules could seriously hamper the development of new pathways into architecture at a time when the need for more flexible routes to qualification have never been greater.The change risks haemorrhaging talent and threatens the future diversity of our profession, Pringle said.He said RIBA supports Arbs plan to move to an educational system based on outcomes rather than qualifications in a robust and self-regulated way.But he added: This elitist and ill-judged proposal is a barrier to learning providers that supply innovative and diverse routes to the required professional qualifications.Indeed, such alternative routes are welcomed and nurtured in the accountancy and legal professions.RIBA currently provides its own architectural education through through the RIBA Part 3 and RIBA Studio programme. It said the terms of its agreement with Oxford Brookes University, which manages the RIBA Studio programme, would mean the proposed amendment to Accreditation Rule 4.2 would be satisfied.Arb has been contacted for comment.