Republican'ts in the UK - Yikes!!!

The logic of the "Me Generation" shows it's ugly face again. Howard Jarvis' Prop 13 killed education in California and now the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) is striking out at our future in the same way. The net effect would be the dumbing down of the UK much like the destruction of education in the US. No wonder they constantly strike out at the educated just as Hitler did. I suspect it's pretty hard to enslave the enlightened.

The irony is that the wealthy do see the value of education for their children, just not for those who cannot afford the costs.

Enrollment will decline for fear of accumulating debt. Tuition fees had long held at £1,000 until it went up to Enrollment will decline for fear of accumulating debt. Tuition fees had long held at £1,000 until it went up to £3000 in 2006.

“Tuition fees make it harder for the working class portion of the public to further their education,” said Rebecca Glithero, a student. “If it wasn’t for student loans, only the upper classes or those who could afford it, would be able to attend university, especially as the cost of tuition fees are on the rise.” in 2006 and now the CBI wants the cost to rise to £5000.



Headline:
Students should pay higher fees, says CBI
Simon Lambert published in This is Money
21 September 2009


Students should pay higher fees, more interest on loans and get less grants says a new report by business bosses that has been backed by leading universities.

Tuition fees could rise from £3,000 per year to £5,000, while graduates should pay a market rate of interest on their debt, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The report has been backed by the Russell Group of 20 leading universities but attacked by Million+, which represents newer universities, and the students' union.

The CBI said that businesses also had a part to play in improving the system and helping families by sponsoring more people through university.

It recommended the target for 50% of 18-30 year-olds participating in highr education should be dropped for the time being.

The National Union of Students (NUS) said it was 'astonished' at the report, and branded its recommendations offensive.

Middle-income families would be hardest hit by the proposals, as above a set threshold they would not qualify for any grants or interest rate subsidies on loans.

The CBI plans come as the government prepares for a major review of tuition fees that will begin this autumn but not report until after the general election.

It recommends restricting maintenance grants and charging the government's market rate of borrowing as the interest rate on loan balances, rather than the current system that maintains real value by setting them at the retail prices index measure of inflation.

The report by a CBI Task Force adds that a funding crisis facing the UK and universities means there is 'little choice but to plan to raise student contributions'. It says evidence from vice-chancellors suggests fees of up to £5,000 per year would not put students off.

All savings should be ring-fenced for universities and the system changed as soon as possible for new students. The report notes that 25% of public funding going to higher education is spent on student support, and the UK has one of the most generous levels of support in the world ~ This is Money


“Tuition fees make it harder for the working class portion of the public to further their education,” said Rebecca Glithero, a student. “If it wasn’t for student loans, only the upper classes or those who could afford it, would be able to attend university, especially as the cost of tuition fees are on the rise.”

Yes, the same is hasppening here in the US.

At prestigious universities around the country, from flagship state colleges to the Ivy League, more and more students from upper-income families are edging out those from the middle class, according to university data.

The change is fast becoming one of the biggest issues in higher education.

More members of this year's freshman class at the University of Michigan have parents making at least $200,000 a year than have parents making less than the national median of about $53,000, according to a survey of Michigan students. At the most selective private universities across the country, more fathers of freshmen are doctors than are hourly workers, teachers, clergy members, farmers or members of the military ? combined.

Experts say the change in the student population is a result of both steep tuition increases and the phenomenal efforts many wealthy parents put into preparing their children to apply to the best schools. It is easy to see here, where BMW 3-series sedans are everywhere and students pay up to $800 a month to live off campus, enough to rent an entire house in parts of Michigan. ~ New York Times

Is it any wonder the Republican't Party is also against any kind of meaningful Health Care Plan? Reminds me of the old "Barefoot and Pregnant" statement about keeping women "in their place." The new thing is keeping the populist rabble "in their place" by keeping them "dumb and sick with no job."

This is no game folks it's our future.