http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/22/university-recruitment-cap
The above article shows the current government has placed a cap on student numbers for at least the next two years. In a period where youth unemployment is expected to grow, they would rather see the unfortunate ones rot on the dole than offer them a chance at aiming for something new. By claiming that budgetry constrainsts lead the decision, in the wake of a growth in number of students and the recession of the economy they are demonstrating short-sighted thinking. The long term benefit of funding each student through university vastly outweighs the costs of years spent claiming benefits and the social deprivation which accompanies this.
Not only has this government failed to remove barriers to talented graduates entering post-graduate education and the professional industries, they are also reversing their own much needed policy of increasing availability of higher education. This is a disgusting situation and is not acceptable from a government which claims to look after the interests of labour. They are condemming thousands to years of poverty, whereas for a short term investment, most of which is repayable with interest, they could be offering opportunity and future success. This moribund administration is secretly cutting our public services in order to bail out the fat-cats who they have lain in bed with for a decade. It is time to cut loose the greed of the bankers and bring these institutions under control of the customers. Offer the population the opportunity it needs to improve itself or we will live with the consequences for years to come.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Saturday, 10 January 2009
An old but vital article
The attached article comes from Paul Wakeling in 2003 and was published in the times. It talks about how labour policy has been "fair access" to higher education, but ignores the fact that social class still counts when people reach the age of 21. It berates the lack of opportunity for many to enter continuing education.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=178672§ioncode=26
This issue is something that has become even more important in the intervening 5 or 6 years. With more and more people entering postgraduate education. According to figures, provided to me by the government last month, there has been a 21.5% increase in PG numbers since 2001, now accounting for 545,369 people. The government has done little to extend opportunities in postgraduate education to the wider population and professional employment and skilled work is in increasing danger of once again becoming an elite pursuit.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=178672§ioncode=26
This issue is something that has become even more important in the intervening 5 or 6 years. With more and more people entering postgraduate education. According to figures, provided to me by the government last month, there has been a 21.5% increase in PG numbers since 2001, now accounting for 545,369 people. The government has done little to extend opportunities in postgraduate education to the wider population and professional employment and skilled work is in increasing danger of once again becoming an elite pursuit.
Comment on BBC article
I posted the following comment on the BBC website, in response to the following article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7821629.stm
I'm not sure whether they will publish my comment, they already had some on there, and rarely update their comments once started, but I'm just trying to spread the word.
Whilst this initiative will prevent rising graduate unemployment, it can only be a temporary measure. This widening participation in higher education has led to a situation where many graduates are unable to find employment due to the lack of initiative in the wider economy to keep pace with the skills of the workforce. One way of preventing an increasing number of graduates going from univerisity to unemployment is to fund more places in postgraduate education. Not only will this prevent people finding their options limited to the dole, but they will be equiped with skills, and often the experience, to start up companies or enter higher skilled employment and to find their own way out of unemployment.
For some time now I have campaigned for such a scheme to be put into place. You can find details here : http://fairaccesspg.blogspot.com/ It's about time the government took action and stopped talent going to waste.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7821629.stm
I'm not sure whether they will publish my comment, they already had some on there, and rarely update their comments once started, but I'm just trying to spread the word.
Whilst this initiative will prevent rising graduate unemployment, it can only be a temporary measure. This widening participation in higher education has led to a situation where many graduates are unable to find employment due to the lack of initiative in the wider economy to keep pace with the skills of the workforce. One way of preventing an increasing number of graduates going from univerisity to unemployment is to fund more places in postgraduate education. Not only will this prevent people finding their options limited to the dole, but they will be equiped with skills, and often the experience, to start up companies or enter higher skilled employment and to find their own way out of unemployment.
For some time now I have campaigned for such a scheme to be put into place. You can find details here : http://fairaccesspg.blogspot.com/ It's about time the government took action and stopped talent going to waste.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Labour cabinet appearences in Liverpool Tomorrow
The entire cabinet are due in Liverpool tomorrow 08/01/09. I have details of where some of the members will be, but not David Lammy or John Denham. They seem not to publicise these events very well, perhaps because they fear dissent from the general public. If anybody finds out, please let me know as I would love to ask one of them a question about this issue. Of course you might also want to go along yourself and maybe pose a question of your own.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Student Union Involvement
Student Union Support
A few weeks ago I approached the Liverpool Students Union and the Liverpool guild of students with a view to extending the campaign for change in postgraduate education. Both institutions have been extremely helpful and it seems we are finally making some progress. I also messaged Wes Streeting, president of the NUS, he has responded extremely positively. The NUS are planning on encouraging the government to reassess postgraduate education ahead of the 2009 review. Mr Streeting has already raised the issue with John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, his concerns are not simply about extending maintenance loans but the whole aspect of postgraduate funding.
As ever we must seek to widen knowledge regarding the problem but this is a very positive move and I hope to have future contacts with Mr Streeting regarding the issue. It shows if we come together and push for change, action will be taken. Keep fighting.
You might like to view the departments blog, and maybe add a comment or two. It is only by making this issue known that we will create change: http://hedebate.jiscinvolve.org/issues/
A few weeks ago I approached the Liverpool Students Union and the Liverpool guild of students with a view to extending the campaign for change in postgraduate education. Both institutions have been extremely helpful and it seems we are finally making some progress. I also messaged Wes Streeting, president of the NUS, he has responded extremely positively. The NUS are planning on encouraging the government to reassess postgraduate education ahead of the 2009 review. Mr Streeting has already raised the issue with John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, his concerns are not simply about extending maintenance loans but the whole aspect of postgraduate funding.
As ever we must seek to widen knowledge regarding the problem but this is a very positive move and I hope to have future contacts with Mr Streeting regarding the issue. It shows if we come together and push for change, action will be taken. Keep fighting.
You might like to view the departments blog, and maybe add a comment or two. It is only by making this issue known that we will create change: http://hedebate.jiscinvolve.org/issues/
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Recent activity
Having received several negative letters regarding the campaign from the current government, which I will publish on here in due course, I decided to send the following to the opposition’s higher education spokesman. I am hoping to garner an opinion from Mr Willetts and, as the letter states, to win support for the cause across all the main political parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Mr Willetts,
Postgraduate Education Funding
I am writing to ascertain your party’s position on a cause that is extremely important to many, as well as myself. For some time now, I have been attempting to change the way in which postgraduate education is funded. As I am sure you are aware, the extension of undergraduate education has resulted in extra demand for postgraduate courses, because many people now see this as the best way to distinguish themselves on the jobs market. Access to these courses, however, is limited, not through the lack of places or difficulty of attaining a position, but by the way in which they are funded. Under the current system you must either be lucky enough to win a scholarship through a funding council, have the university pay your fees or be wealthy enough in the first place to pay for the course outright.
The system outlined above, is a hindrance to social mobility, not only does it favour those who have the funds readily available to access postgraduate education, but the majority, should they risk pursuing professional qualifications, will take longer to complete their courses and probably receive a lower grade, due to having to work in usually low paid, part time jobs. This prevents these people from advancing their careers or they often they fail to complete their course because of financial or work pressure. I also believe that the system favours those who were imbued with the correct cultural capital and were encouraged, by their parents or school, to apply for a better regarded university, rather than a suitable course. These universities are usually in a position to offer discounts or fees waivers to their own students, meaning that people who went to the post 1992 universities find postgraduate education more costly, or will reject continuing education out of hand. This means that decisions people made at age seventeen are hindering their prospects throughout adulthood.
I have suggested that this problem might be resolved by the extension of loans to postgraduate students and the removal of the current career development loans, which are charged at commercial interest rates and deter many. This will allow people to complete their professional education in a shorter time period, thus beginning their career earlier and earning more money over the course of their lifetime. It will also mean that many people will not have to accrue excess debt from commercial sources, which often happens to those who attempt to complete part-time study and part-time work simultaneously.
So far I have written to several MPs and I am trying to discover the policy towards this matter of the different parties. Many have responded positively to my enquiries, and I hope to build a coalition of MPs who will support this course. Please inform me of your own viewpoint on the issue. Do you have any suggestions as to how the problem could be solved? What is the official Conservative party view on this matter?
Yours Sincerely
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Mr Willetts,
Postgraduate Education Funding
I am writing to ascertain your party’s position on a cause that is extremely important to many, as well as myself. For some time now, I have been attempting to change the way in which postgraduate education is funded. As I am sure you are aware, the extension of undergraduate education has resulted in extra demand for postgraduate courses, because many people now see this as the best way to distinguish themselves on the jobs market. Access to these courses, however, is limited, not through the lack of places or difficulty of attaining a position, but by the way in which they are funded. Under the current system you must either be lucky enough to win a scholarship through a funding council, have the university pay your fees or be wealthy enough in the first place to pay for the course outright.
The system outlined above, is a hindrance to social mobility, not only does it favour those who have the funds readily available to access postgraduate education, but the majority, should they risk pursuing professional qualifications, will take longer to complete their courses and probably receive a lower grade, due to having to work in usually low paid, part time jobs. This prevents these people from advancing their careers or they often they fail to complete their course because of financial or work pressure. I also believe that the system favours those who were imbued with the correct cultural capital and were encouraged, by their parents or school, to apply for a better regarded university, rather than a suitable course. These universities are usually in a position to offer discounts or fees waivers to their own students, meaning that people who went to the post 1992 universities find postgraduate education more costly, or will reject continuing education out of hand. This means that decisions people made at age seventeen are hindering their prospects throughout adulthood.
I have suggested that this problem might be resolved by the extension of loans to postgraduate students and the removal of the current career development loans, which are charged at commercial interest rates and deter many. This will allow people to complete their professional education in a shorter time period, thus beginning their career earlier and earning more money over the course of their lifetime. It will also mean that many people will not have to accrue excess debt from commercial sources, which often happens to those who attempt to complete part-time study and part-time work simultaneously.
So far I have written to several MPs and I am trying to discover the policy towards this matter of the different parties. Many have responded positively to my enquiries, and I hope to build a coalition of MPs who will support this course. Please inform me of your own viewpoint on the issue. Do you have any suggestions as to how the problem could be solved? What is the official Conservative party view on this matter?
Yours Sincerely
The Facebook Group
You can follow us on this group. Please join us to show your support, invite your friends too if you care enough. We want to push the government enough for them to include postgraduate education in the forthcomig higher education review.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63866006200
The Current text of the group reads:
Please read the below and send a letter to David Lammy, at the address below, to pursue the issue.
Currently the UK has no provision for postgraduate students to receive a student loan on the same terms as undergraduates.This wastes the potential of many who are deterred from pursuing professional qualifications. Others, who do pursue Postgraduate education, are forced to delay their careers while they take their courses on a part-time basis; this is usually combined with low paid work. The extension of university education to previously excluded people, whilst commendable and of great benefit to the population, has meant that more people now see postgraduate and professional qualifications as a prerequisite for embarking on their chosen career. Unless the candidate has the money to pay for fees, often in the region of £4000-£6000 per year, and for their living expenses, the vast majority of people are being hindered or excluded from their professional career.
Research has shown that poorer people are more likely to abstain from continuing education due to lack of funds. This reinforces a new system of inequality, where postgraduate education is only open to a small amount of people who receive scholarships or whose parents have the money to pay for them.If a person was to pursue a masters and PhD on a part time basis it would take at least 8 years. During that time the person would lose out on four years earnings potential in comparison to another person who can afford the fees, or receives funding to embark on a full time program. If a loans program were in place they would be able to complete their course in a shorter time, being able to pay back their loan sooner and earning more taxable income over the course of their careers. Both of these results would benefit the government and wider tax-paying public.
Please send a letter to David Lammy, Minister of State for higher education. Tell him that people need this to pursue their careers. The lack of a fair loans system holds back people who are more than capable of achieving these qualifications.
We only want an equal chance to fulfil our potential.
Mr D Lammy Minister of state for Higher Education,
DIUS,
Kingsgate House,
66-74 Victoria Street,
London.
SW1E 6SW.
If you wish to write to other MPs as well please do so, but message Nick Barnett to let me know about it, so that we know who has been approached. We are not affiliated to any political party, we just want opportunity for all.
I already have support from Mrs Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside. She wants this to become an issue and is submitting questions to parliament on our behalf. If we keep up relentless pressure the government will have to act.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63866006200
The Current text of the group reads:
Please read the below and send a letter to David Lammy, at the address below, to pursue the issue.
Currently the UK has no provision for postgraduate students to receive a student loan on the same terms as undergraduates.This wastes the potential of many who are deterred from pursuing professional qualifications. Others, who do pursue Postgraduate education, are forced to delay their careers while they take their courses on a part-time basis; this is usually combined with low paid work. The extension of university education to previously excluded people, whilst commendable and of great benefit to the population, has meant that more people now see postgraduate and professional qualifications as a prerequisite for embarking on their chosen career. Unless the candidate has the money to pay for fees, often in the region of £4000-£6000 per year, and for their living expenses, the vast majority of people are being hindered or excluded from their professional career.
Research has shown that poorer people are more likely to abstain from continuing education due to lack of funds. This reinforces a new system of inequality, where postgraduate education is only open to a small amount of people who receive scholarships or whose parents have the money to pay for them.If a person was to pursue a masters and PhD on a part time basis it would take at least 8 years. During that time the person would lose out on four years earnings potential in comparison to another person who can afford the fees, or receives funding to embark on a full time program. If a loans program were in place they would be able to complete their course in a shorter time, being able to pay back their loan sooner and earning more taxable income over the course of their careers. Both of these results would benefit the government and wider tax-paying public.
Please send a letter to David Lammy, Minister of State for higher education. Tell him that people need this to pursue their careers. The lack of a fair loans system holds back people who are more than capable of achieving these qualifications.
We only want an equal chance to fulfil our potential.
Mr D Lammy Minister of state for Higher Education,
DIUS,
Kingsgate House,
66-74 Victoria Street,
London.
SW1E 6SW.
If you wish to write to other MPs as well please do so, but message Nick Barnett to let me know about it, so that we know who has been approached. We are not affiliated to any political party, we just want opportunity for all.
I already have support from Mrs Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside. She wants this to become an issue and is submitting questions to parliament on our behalf. If we keep up relentless pressure the government will have to act.
A Manifesto for Post-Graduate Education provision
The current policy of governments is one of widening participation in higher education, this is a great scheme which serves to increase the general level of education and to reduce poverty, it is to be greatly applauded; there is, however, a serious consequence of this policy which needs to be addressed: the provision of funding for post-graduate students. In the wake of the much needed extension of higher education a post-graduate qualification is becoming essential to enable in an individual’s chosen career and to show the potential and self-belief of the candidate.
Currently funding provision in this area is poor: there are some scholarships, but these are distributed to reactionary institutions whose graduates make up a large proportion of the political class; some charities and trusts offer funding, but this is largely inadequate and oversubscribed; there is available, via commercial banks, a career development loan, this however, charges a commercial rate of interest and generally does not cover fees. The system, as it stands, promotes inequality: If you are rich enough you will, with ease, pay for fees and living expenses.
If, on the other hand, you lack the financial means of the moneyed class, you must give up on education, foregoing your vast potential and become embittered about your failure to be all you can be. If you are not deterred by the financial losses you will make you could choose part time work and study, living on low wages whilst your inability to commit yourself to your course reduces your grade, with the net result of you embarking on your chosen career later than those who have had the opportunity and with a reduced potential for progression.
The increasing number of people choosing postgraduate qualifications as essential for their self development is not being met by opportunity; this is enforcing a system of inequality with the poor in society more likely to postpone their continuing education.
If you are good enough there should be no barriers.
Currently funding provision in this area is poor: there are some scholarships, but these are distributed to reactionary institutions whose graduates make up a large proportion of the political class; some charities and trusts offer funding, but this is largely inadequate and oversubscribed; there is available, via commercial banks, a career development loan, this however, charges a commercial rate of interest and generally does not cover fees. The system, as it stands, promotes inequality: If you are rich enough you will, with ease, pay for fees and living expenses.
If, on the other hand, you lack the financial means of the moneyed class, you must give up on education, foregoing your vast potential and become embittered about your failure to be all you can be. If you are not deterred by the financial losses you will make you could choose part time work and study, living on low wages whilst your inability to commit yourself to your course reduces your grade, with the net result of you embarking on your chosen career later than those who have had the opportunity and with a reduced potential for progression.
The increasing number of people choosing postgraduate qualifications as essential for their self development is not being met by opportunity; this is enforcing a system of inequality with the poor in society more likely to postpone their continuing education.
If you are good enough there should be no barriers.
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