The UK Governement yesterday announced a massive U-turn on education policy when it announced that it would be re-introducing student grants in 2003. Whilst details seem scant at the moment (and little has been mentioned about removing tuition fees - but it kind of follows from the reintroduction of grants) the main reason appears to be the quite obvious decline in numbers of people from poorer backgrounds entering University.
So what do you think of the timing of this, its general lack of big news coverage, the relatively unexpected backdown (there were rumblings in the University world, but nothing was expected this quick) and on student funding in general. Its replacement will be a graduate tax btw.
― Pete, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
My immediate reaction was a great big YAY! tempered by feeling rather
sorry for the students who've had to pay tuition fees during the gap.
― Madchen, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
I wouldn't worry to much about them. I'm surrounded by 'em and they
are a pretty rotten bunch (heh heh).
― Pete, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Hey! I am them.
Actually, whilst this is obviously A Good Thing, it looks like it be
happening just when I finish (and it began just when I started - neat
huh?)
Damn.
― jamesmichaelward, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Make the underclass useful and have them subsidize students. Do this
by way of a tax on designer trainers, UK Garage singles, lottery
tickets, tabloids etc.
― dave q, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Tax marijuana. Of course the flip side to the funding question is a
graduate tax, which no doubt will suddenly be unpopular in ten years
time. Perhaps giving the student the option: pay £1000 pounds now or
possibly pay more when you are rich and loaded. Whatever, I hope the
funding comes back where we need it the most - Student Unions.
― Pete, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Dave q - I thought you wanted to ship them all off to Antarctica or something?
― Nick, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
I think it was disgusting that New Labour carried on and accelerated
the tories loan system and then added tuition fees. It was only the
Lib Dems that protested of the mainstream political parties,
Scrap Tution fees.
For 18 years, the Tories took 13 steps back - 13 cuts to student
support during their term of office.
For the last 3 years, Labour have taken a massive step back -
abolishing grants, and reintroducing fees.
To think back to my uni years 1988 - 91 that the Labour party would
do this, when the Labour students union members were so against the
tories for eroding the student grants and introducing a loans system.
I remember those young labour student types well, waving their
plackards and organising bus trips up to London to demonstrate
against the tories. If only they could have gazed into the crystal
ball ten years on to find the mess we are now.
[My last year, 1990-1991 was when the loan system started - so I was
not effected too much. ] However each subsequent year the financial
situation for students has got progressively worse - to such a state
when students leave university in thousands of pounds of debt - and
many thousands drop out or don't even start courses because they
can't afford to or do not want to be saddled with thousands of pounds
of debt.
I suppose you have to give New Labour some credit for a U-Turn, but
why were they not more intelligent back in 1997 to smash the tories
loan system and NOT introduce tuition fees - the most ill
conceived "tax" system since the hated poll tax.
Labour could easily have restored a grants system for all, by
introduced a graduate tax of 1p in the pound for EVERYONE in the past
that has been through a British University and has a current salary
over a certain threshold. [Why are both the tories and new labour so
rigid and unimaginative with their direct taxation polcies?]
What about the generation of the 90 still repaying their student
loans (and current students), is a tricky one? any ideas?
― DJ Martian, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
That dance class I took in college certainly shoudl have been free.
― Mike Hanle y, Friday, 5 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
sheffield student union needs no more money. it is loaded, and
mispends criminally.
― ambrose, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
DJM - remember i am a murkin so my standards are quite low.
but asking a 1% tax of graduates who have benefited financially
from the education system sounds progressive to me? and
more imaginative than just taking it from everybody?
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 9 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)