Hot on the heels of trebling of
tuition fees and the scrapping of Education Maintenance Allowances from
2013/14, the government is now planning to withdraw the support it currently
offers for people aged 24 and over taking A-level equivalent courses and above
(Level 3 and higher which includes apprenticeships). Last year, more than 4200
such students were in colleges in South Yorkshire.
Instead, it is planning a
system of loans for Further Education students. As the Government is cutting
its support - currently 50% of the cost, course fees are expected to rise
dramatically to around £4000 a year. When students complete their courses
and start to earn £21,000 or more, they will pay back the loans.
Isn't there something bizarre
about expecting individual apprentices over 24, rather than their employers, to
take on loan responsibilities when they are already taking a salary cut because
of their training status?
The Government has no real
evidence to suggest that the majority of people will feel either able or willing
to take on such loans. Far from it; it has plenty to suggest they will not,
especially given the gloomy economic climate. People who didn’t enjoy or do
well at school often have to be supported and incentivised towards adult
learning. Even the Government believes that a minimum of 20% of existing adult
learners will simply fall by the wayside as a result of these changes.
The coalition also seems
determined to introduce fees for access-to-HE courses, which are designed for
those who missed out on university the first time; 70% of students are female.
It’s another attack on
aspiration. It will particularly hit women.
When economic growth has
stalled and public confidence is at an all-time low, introducing a ‘big bang’ loans
system with potential learners and re-skillers - worried about debt, family
circumstances and unemployment - seems particularly misconceived.
