Quote:
Originally Posted by Ignitionnet
Loans? Investment in your own future? Might be anathema here but is very common elsewhere.
|
The plans seem to be making that investment a poor choice, not all degrees lead to high paying (40/50k plus) jobs and the sheer scale of finance that will be needed may make those routes less appealing. Social Work, Teaching and such are two examples of this.
Education isn't simply a tool to maximise your earning power after you leave university.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ignitionnet
What would you suggest is done as an alternative?
There is always some financial discouragement for everyone bar the rich, it's about how it's looked at. Higher Education should be seen as a choice and investment in your future, not as something everyone should do just because.
In an idea world there would be no need to charge anyone for such things, however Scotland's experience seems to indicate that removing this incentive results in higher drop out rate.
As big a danger for me is people spending an extra 3 or 4 years that could be spent doing other things going to University to study something that will be of no help or use. It may make them more rounded people, or not as in my case, but that's not a good use of the taxpayers' money to be honest.
|
I think the current system is fair. £9,000 over three years and interest linked to inflation but not any higher. Society benefits from an educated work force and should contribute towards it. This removes some burden from the tax-payer, and encourages personal responsibility from the individual but isn't so limiting as too seriously discourage those from poor or middle class backgrounds to be turned off.
The amount of debt incurred is static. As it's linked to inflation you don't have the prospect/worry of the debt continuing to amass though interest. It's also more manageable. £15,000 is better than way over £30,000 plus interest.