John Holman, director of the National Science Learning Centre, said: "It is difficult to see how excellence is sustainable without it".

Professor Holman was speaking at the launch of a report on improving science teaching in schools.

The government is soon to begin a review of tuition fees in England.

"It's very difficult to see how a future of excellence throughout the university system can be maintained unless at some point there's a more economic approach to university fees," said Prof Holman.

"I think at some point we need to question whether the cap on fees is lifted."

Divided opinion

The review of student funding in England, which has to begin before the end of the year, will consider whether the current cap on tuition fees of £3,225 should rise.

There have been calls from some universities for a higher level of fees, which they say is necessary to bridge a growing funding gap.

The 1994 Group of research universities has warned of severe cutbacks without such extra funding.

The employers' group, the CBI, has argued that higher fees are inevitable and that there should also be a reduction in the subsidies on student loans.

A CBI conference to debate these proposals on Tuesday will hear speeches from Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and the Conservatives' universities spokesman, David Willetts.

There are sharp divisions on the subject within higher education - with the Million+ group of new universities arguing that raising the cost of going to university will work against the ambition to widen participation.

The National Union of Students has also argued that there are other ways of increasing funding without hiking fees.

In response to calls for higher fees, a spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said the government would not pre-empt the findings of the forthcoming review.

The report from the National Science Learning Centre, being launched by Professor Holman, has called for more professional development for teachers.

It claimed that science exam grades and the number of pupils taking science options would receive a "dramatic boost" if more head teachers allowed staff to attend science training courses.

source: news.bbc.co.uk

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