I Have a much younger sister in Sixth form college at the moment who is hoping to go to university this year who is now absolutely terrified at the prospect of the amount of debt that she will be in when she leaves uni... She's a very bright girl who studies really hard and deserves the oportunity to study at uni. The qualification and career choice that she has chosen will be of more benefit to society than to herself. My mother is of pension age and my stepfather disabled and they are worried sick about the amount of debt that she is getting herself into. These fees are ridiculous, if you are from a middle class background maybe the prospect of £25k debt isnt so scary as to a family who have less than £9k per annum to survive on.
My own son was hoping to go to university in two years time... he is hoping that the Government doesn't continue to cut ordinary college courses in the area as he says that he will not be going to university at all now...
I am extremely ANGRY and upset with the Government, I feel that Nick Clegg in particular has behaved in a shamefully undemocratic manner and him and his party should be deeply ashamed of themselves. After all when he and his party were up for election many of the students voted for them on the strength that they did not agree with university fees and that education was a right and it should have beenshould be free for all.
I am appalled at the level of violence shown at these demonstrations those who were responsible should be punished and the full weight of the law brought down on them. I am disgusted that Prince Charles and The Dutchess of Cornwall were set upon by an angry mob. I am also disgusted at the level of intimidation used by the Police force during the London demonstrations (I sat and watched the demonstrations live on news24).
Now that they are privatising universities.. how long before it is Sixth Form colleges and secondary schools?
As for doing away with EMA..! how many families in Wirral rely on the EMA to pay for things that their kids need during 6th Form? I do know that while my son was at sixth form college he had lots of extra equipment, books, study guides and educational visits that he needed to pay for. One of which was a 'chemistry lecture' at a university at a cost of £45 which was held by the person who wrote the A Level Chemistry paper, my son told me that this was a discussion/lecture to tell the kids what weas going to be in the A level exam... If he had not had his EMA to put towards this 'educational visit' he would have been at a distinct disadvantage to all those who could afford to.
I really would like to take part in one of the smaller local, peaceful demonstration and show support for all those worried students and parents out there who have been betrayed
/rant over