THE latest proposal regarding student fees misses the point.
That’s according to Andrew Shipley, who is branch secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.
‘The principle at the heart of this issue is that a loan should not have to be taken out to contribute towards tuition fees,’ he said.
‘The reality is that at the end of a degree or period of postgraduate study, this move will mean that there will be an even bigger debt for those who have gone into higher education and their families, at a time when people are struggling, which some prospective students may view as unacceptable and so not go on to higher education.
‘Furthermore, if a loan is introduced then there is nothing to say that the proposed £2,500 should not be increased sooner rather than later to save yet more money.’
He said that figures have just been published in England which show there has been a sharp fall in university applications as a result of increased fees.
‘If there are increased numbers not going into higher education on the Isle of Man, what effect will this have generally and in particular on employment figures?
‘What strategy do we have for growth of the economy?’
Mr Shipley questioned whether the Department of Education and Children’s move to introduce a loan would achieve what it is meant to do.
‘There will not be an immediate saving as the money will still be paid out from the Treasury, with it being gradually paid back over an extended period of time,’ he said.
‘There will be an increased administration cost to government in terms of personnel at a time when we are seeking to reduce the scope of government and repayment will rely on being able to gather reliable data on salaries and being able to collect repayments.
‘The English government has estimated that the total amount outstanding as a result of student loans will be more than £80 billion by the start of 2017-18.
‘There are briefing papers such as Student Loan statistics – Standard Note: SN/SG/1079, which I hope our elected representatives will look at before voting about this proposal.’
He described education as a ‘long term investment in the future prosperity of the nation’.
‘This is backed up by research evidence from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) which shows that “they’ll [countries] recoup this investment – and then some – through greater tax revenues from these higher-educated people, as well as savings from the lower level of social transfers these people typically receive”.’
FEES FACTFILE
Tuition fees for English students are capped at £9,000 a year.
Under the DEC plans most Manx students will pay a maximum of £2,500 a year towards their tuition fees. The Manx government will pick up the tab for the extra costs of more expensive medical, dentistry, veterinary and conservatoire music courses.
In all but a few universities, undergraduates are charged the same fee that would be charged to an English student attending the same course. But a number charge more – including Imperial College in London, Cambridge and Warwick, which will charge island students at international rates. Cardiff has advised that for certain courses the fees will be £12,000 rather than £9,000.
Manx students would have to pick up the balance – and in some cases could pay more than the English. It is possible that other universities may seek to charge more in future.
Scots pay no tuition fees while students in Wales and Northern Ireland pay £3,500. Tuition fees for English students are capped at £9,000 a year.
Under the DEC plans most Manx students will pay a maximum of £2,500 a year towards their tuition fees. The Manx government will pick up the tab for the extra costs of more expensive medical, dentistry, veterinary and conservatoire music courses.
In all but a few universities, undergraduates are charged the same fee that would be charged to an English student attending the same course. But a number charge more – including Imperial College in London, Cambridge and Warwick, which will charge island students at international rates. Cardiff has advised that for certain courses the fees will be £12,000 rather than £9,000.
Manx students would have to pick up the balance – and in some cases could pay more than the English. It is possible that other universities may seek to charge more in future.
Scots pay no tuition fees while students in Wales and Northern Ireland pay £3,500.