The introduction of tuition fees in 2008 changed the relationship between tutor and student forever, to one of provider and consumer. Variable tuition fees bring the market system into education and turns learning and growing into a saleable commodity, which is arguably precisely what the government want. They get to withdraw state funding and clear the path for their rich corporate buddies to start filling the gaps. In return for their money, students are demanding 'value for money' and 'good customer service'. Universities are cramming more and more students into less and less space, with declining 1:1 tutor time and fewer lectures and seminars. And the emphasis of university is increasingly geared toward fitting specific industry moulds, rather than meeting the needs of the student and preparing graduates with a range of transferable skills and experiences.
I think that education should not be quantified only by its financial worth. Students should not be 'processed' by the system and spat out as market fodder at the other end. The arts and humanities should be as equally valued as science and engineering. The best universities should be available to everyone, and based on academic merit, not family income, and students should not have to worry about mounting debts of thousands of pounds when they graduate.(I graduated when yearly fees were much less than they are now, but after also taking a loan out for London living expenses I am still facing a big debt; one that I am nowhere near paying off. I was told "don't worry about the debt, it wont really affect you. Study now, pay back when your earning". And its rubbish, the amount deducted from my monthly salary is not small.)
From the National Union of Students:
“The Prime Minister obscures the fact that the Government is removing 80 per cent of public funding for the university teaching grant and all public funding for arts, humanities and social science courses. Of the £3.6bn provided by the government for teaching in English universities, £2.9bn is being removed in one fell swoop, doing untold damage to our economy, culture and society."
I find the whole thing depressing and sad. For me, this is about fairness and equality. It is about fighting to learn for the sake of learning. Its about protecting the future of the arts and humanities. And its about being real about the impact of these changes on poorer students, many of whom fear a lifetime of debt.
Anyway. Rant over. I'm going to be joining, at least briefly, thousands of people today to lobby the UK parliament as it votes on whether to raise yearly tuition fees to £9,000.
Wish me luck.
You can follow live coverage of the vote in parliament here, and the student demonstration's here
Also, a brilliant article on this issue appeared in Amelia's magazine.
And, If you want to get involved and do something, you can of course join the demo, or you could put a message of support on facebok/twitter or email your MP etc.
UPDATE
Depressingly, perhaps predictably, the vote passed.
There has been a lot of bullshit spouted by the media about yesterdays protests, which is surprisingly (naive?!) biased and one sided. This article, by Enemies of Reason however, is brilliant. Read it.
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I've been sitting on the fence a bit on this one, I'm really not sure how I feel. I've always felt that a university education is a privilege, and appreciate that the government can't afford to pay for everybody to have it, but then of course I think the government is throwing away millions elsewhere on things that I don't think are a priority. I also left uni with a huge debt, but your student loan doesn't affect your credit rating, and since my parents would never have had the money to pay for me to go otherwise, it was a debt I personally was willing to take on. I lived in Cyprus when I was 11-12, and if I'd stayed there until university age, my parents would have had to pay: there were simply no such things as student loans (don't know if this is still the case there but it certainly was 15 years ago).
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of getting value for money and coming out as a well-rounded individual rather than a slave to the job market, I think the USA has a FAR superior higher education system (from what I've learned from my boyfriend's experience)...but then their fees are already about four times higher than ours, so maybe you get what you pay for? The only way he was able to go was because he got a full academic scholarship, which I'm sure everyone agrees is a fair way to go about it.
I'd be very impressed if our government looked to how other countries handle their university funding and maybe took a leaf out of the books of more successful models. But then again, I'd be impressed if this government did anything that didn't perpetuate their own Tory Boy stereotype :(
Stay safe at the protest, Han. Fingers crossed for a decent result!
I totally agree with you Hannah,
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any better use for my taxes than to help other people learn and be inspired. They are the next generation to run this country whether it be bankers, drama teachers, engineers or artists, we will all benifit from their aspirations in the end.
Its vital for a society to see eductation as something that does not only effect one person.
The governments attitude is all wrong and they will realise the mistakes theyve made in years to come and blame someone else for it I'm sure!
A great post, well done!
I was safe at the protest! I got a bit trapped and a wee biot close to the police horses for my liking, but generally atmosphere was good.
ReplyDeleteEleni- thanks for your long comment!
I think, in an ideal world, university shouldnt be a privalege enjoyed by the rich, but a right enjoyed by all who want it in society, as it ultimately benefits everyone. But obviously we are not living in an ideal world and in many ways I agree with you.
On the debt issue- i have to say that it does affect me and I was paying the lower ammount. A decent chunk goes out every month- money that i could be using to save for a house. I guess I objcet to the message I was given as a 17 year old that the debt wont affrect me, as it does. My sister is facing fees of up to 9k a year; debt is set to rise massively. So even if you dont feel very affected by it, future generations will.
My main concern is the marketisation of the system. I do not beleive thatuniversities should be able to differentiate in price- I beleive the prise should be the same for everyone. This would mean students can choose courses purely on if it is right for them, and not because they happen to be able to afford it. I think the government are making some stupid decisions- and I am not necessarily advocating for free education (in an ideal world- yes) There IS another way to do this. The NUS put forward a very convincing argument for a grdauate tax- which i am quite supportive of. It would take away the market and ensure that both low AND high earners are not discriminated against http://www.nus.org.uk/en/Campaigns/Funding-Our-Future/What-a-real-graduate-tax-would-look-like/
Not sure If i can add any authoritive comment on the American education system. Anecdotally I've heard that yes- where students pay more they generally receive a high level of education- and private scholarships are avialble. But as a country social mobility is incredibly poor, only a tiny percentage of poor americans attend America's top universities, and I just cant comprehend leaving university in America with, literally, 50,000 of debt! that must MASSIVELY affect a graduates decision on whether to buy a house or save money? or mean they have to rely on their parents.
Any americans out there care to comment?
Artemis- thank you. I agree with you- the government have , in affect. withdrawn ALL funding for the arts and humanities- choosing to prioritise science and maths etc. They are sending such a damaging message to young people about the value of these areas! Makes me mad.
ReplyDeleteALSO- Sorry for the major typo's in my comments, I am so crap at proof reading! I was rushing at work, sorry!
ReplyDeleteI saw the protest in Newcastle yesterday and was shocked by the tactics of the police. Sends a shiver down my spine.
ReplyDeleteMy worry is that this decision on fees is a slippery slope to the commercialisation of our universities. Those universities who have lots of private interest, doing research for big companies, those will be the universities which end up being more successful. Learning for the sake of learning and expanding your mind will disappear.
Over the past few hundred years, our little country has, for its size, made more of a contribution to world knowledge from our education system than any other country. We have some of the best universities in the world here. Its one of our greatest assets, something that we still are world leaders in. I worry that this will no longer be the case.
I protested when fees were bought in when I was at university. My fella refused to pay his fees and was nearly thrown off his course as a result. We would never have gone to university if fees had been at todays levels, never mind what is being proposed now.
And what about the Education Allowances for poorer students which encourage them to stay to do A levels and other higher education? Those grants are being scrapped! Ok, they are only £30 a week, but that can make the difference.
A whole section of society is being cut off from the joy of learning and it makes me so sad. I completely agree with you both, Hannah and Artemis.
Oh my god yes, I totally agree they should be more honest with teenagers when they are applying to university! About debt, about job prospects, about how to choose the right course! This has long been a bugbear of mine. The whole "go to university, you will get a good job, your debts will be gone before you know it" myth is so prevalent and such bullshit!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, in an ideal world a university education would NOT be a privilege and it would be freely accessible to all - I didn't mean I thought it shouldn't be, I just meant that's how it felt to me - I count myself lucky that I was able to go to university.
The cutting or arts funding is a real tragedy, not least because it has been pushed aside by all the sensationalist headlines. I agree with the Junkaholic - it will take years before these stupid decisions can be rectified. *sigh*
I think your point about Universities now being a service provider and students the consumer/client is one that has been missed by the media. Quality tuition is not a given. We tried to bring this up when the Government withdrew funding for second time students in 2007. I'm happy paying £9000 if I am being given value for money, but all too often students are being let down. Disappointingly, the student union failed to support/represent/address the ELQ issue, which those of us affected knew was a stepping stone to funding being withdrawn for first time students. What was astonishing is how the London Universities imposed the new fees of £8000 WITHOUT a phasing in period, so if you had given up your job and got a place at University, you were suddenly faced with a £5000 increase, and it was too late to apply to a outside London University who were at least waiting a year being increasing their fees. Quite disgusting, and that was under the Labour Government...
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that the Labour Government encouraged Universities to take on more students than University resources could afford. At Chelsea College of Art, the Foundation year had 450 students. This consisted of 1/3 UK, 1/3 European and 1/3 International. International and European students found out on the day they handed in their portfolio submissions whether or not they were successful in getting their place at University. UK students found out a week later. Where was the equality there?! Homegrown students third in line to get places!!
University Education for some, might as well be a correspondence course. Also, why pay £9000 for barely there tuition and decaying facilities when you can pay the same for a private University and get proper pastoral care? Can't stand the Conservatives but Labour unwittingly started the rot.
The Labour Government also cut back on funding for subsidised evening classes for those on benefits. The bell was tolling quietly long before the Lib dems helped the Tories signal the end of Higher Education for all but the rich. The media also fails to mention how your credit rating will suffer for years with the student debt you now have to take on. How will they ever afford a mortgage?
I would love to do a degree in textile design but I can't afford to and I have tried to find an alternative way to get into the industry. Internships are few and far between and mainly offered to existing students. What are we to do? What a gruesome era.