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20 March
Universities demand higher fees from students
Is it linked to the rise in applications?
by SoftwareGuru
Tuesday 17th March 2009
In the current economic climate most companies and businesses are faced with having to reduce their prices so as to entice customers.
For example the cost of buying a car has been reduced significantly. Everywhere you look, shops are relying on sales to keep businesses alive.
With the exception of the Nintendo Wii, I couldn't think of a single example of another price hike - until now.
At least Nintendo has a valid excuse because in the last two years the pound has declined 43 per cent against the yen. It is unlikely that UK Universities can produce a similar statistic in their defence.
Truth is, as we reported a few weeks ago, UCAS applications this year have risen significantly. Not only that, the top 3rd level educational institutions are able to set even higher entrance standards than ever before.
The response to growing demand appears to be simple: if you want in, pay up.
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More pressure on parents?
Earlier today both BBC News and The Guardian newspaper ran articles detailing the proposed fee increases.
Today's Universities UK report stated that, students from low-income families would be discouraged if fees rose to £7,000. It suggests however, that a £2,000 rise on current tuition fees would not deter students.
Is that a fair point?
Or is it the case that universities are taking unfair advantage of their position in the education service market?
The news media have been quick to point out how fast the country's debt has grown under Gordon Brown's leadership. At this point in time, it's clear that available funds for students and universities alike will be low.
Parents across the country have every right to feel swindled.
Taxpayers' money was spent on a war in Iraq and most recently bailing out banks (and their bosses' insanely large pensions), yet parents are now expected to pay even more to educate their children during a time of huge job losses.
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Long term vision required.
On the one hand our leaders are telling us to be wary of our finances and to live within our means.
On the other, the first thing students who wish to enhance their career prospects are confronted with at the age of 17 or 18, is the prospect of £30,000 worth of student debt and being told by society that such a scenario is OK.
Is it just me or does anyone else think we're sending out a mixed message?
Cynics may argue that "where there's a will there's a way" but frankly, would you want to be treated by a NHS trainee student doctor who's been working nights in a row in a student union cloakroom in order to pay rent?
All of this is taking place during a period that historians are going to look back at and wonder did the people at the turn of the century realise how much the digital economy was going to change their careers and lives.
Failure to adequately invest in the knowledge economy now will prove a lot more costly in the long term.
Whether the present government can show leadership in this respect, remains to be seen.
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Posted by
admin
at
16:50
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