Education in the news
| 20:12 UK
time, Saturday, 11 June 2011
This week’s story on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Education website warning us that the UK could become "yesterday's country equipped with yesterday's skills" if education cuts continue, struck close to home for me, with three teenagers potentially going to university in the next few years.
The percentage of young people going to university has dropped significantly in the UK since 2000. If you look at graduation rates, the UK had the third highest rates back in 2000 and had fallen to 15th by 2008, according to an OECD report.Ìý
With the , it will be the poor that are hit hardest. ÌýThe irony is that greater numbers of disadvantaged young people will be costing the government money anyway, as the alternative is to go on benefits.
Some university heads have predicted that the cuts will also mean that some institutions will close. The situation is made worse by the fact that with immigration rules tightening, fewer foreign students can come and study in the UK which means another fall in revenue.
It will be interesting to see how higher education fares in the UK in the near future. My daughter is part of the first cohort applying with the new fees in place and it’s certainly making her think seriously about vocational courses, and whether it’s worth landing yourself in all that debt!
Fiona Holmer works on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Parents Blog.
Comment number 1.
At 12th Jun 2011, l0ul0u wrote:You say the `poor` will be hit hardest?...dont you mean those whos parents are on benefits?..Unfortunatley that is not the case, as those that are on benefits or have parents on benefits are entitled to extra non repayment funds. Those whos parents work dont get these extra amount (speacial support grant) yet may still have the same income and outgoings. Its the ones that go to University, pay there way, pay it all back then go on to earn good money to pay back into the system that are being victimized now a days for not doing enough for the so called `poor`. Every child or person has thethe same opportunity to get into Uni as long as they work hard and everyone should pay the same and get the same funding as when finished Uni do we all not get a certificate that gives us an equal chance of getting a job??
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At 13th Oct 2011, keirondunn wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd May 2012, tainies wrote:This modern age that we live in offers much more opportunities for our kids to be well educated and grow up being responsible and creative adults. Technology can be used to assist parents and teachers and those who don't have enough time to be with their kids. Every once in a while, many new ways through which we can help our kids learn and entertain themselves are discovered. It's a unique opportunity we cannot miss.
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