Despite not being a student this subject is close to my heart because it highlights not just many problems with this government, but I'm sorry to say, problems with peoples perception as well.
First of all, lets make one thing clear. The government lied about it's policies prior to the election as it has now u-turned on many fundamental issues people would have based their voting on.
But...
The government at no point EVER debated raising tuition fees. They have instead debated raising the CAP on fees which universities can charge. There is a massive difference. If a university decides to charge more for its tuition, it was their decision, not the governments. What this has done is given more freedom for universities to charge what they deem fair for their services. Not only that but it opens up a bidding war between universities to charge as little as possible to get students, or, it will improve course standards so universities can justify charging higher amounts. Thinking all universities are going to charge the maximum is scare mongering and idiotic, it would result in very few people being able to afford to go and universities would close round the country. If you think your university does not have this level of common sense, trust me, you've put your faith in the wrong one. This is not to say that there will not be elitest universities who will charge the maximum, or 'budget' ones who charge as little as they can afford, but what's the difference between that and universities being elitest or budget with peoples grades? Nothing is the answer. OK, you can say:
'Well, I got straight As and therefore qualified to go to Oxbridge but I can't afford it now!'
Sorry but my attitude is boo-fucking-hoo. Why should the university and government (taxpayer/general public) fund the vast majority of your education when it's nothing more than a gamble whether you'll actually pass? A person who can cover their costs are not only a more stable student for the establishment but also PROVIDE the money for the education and equipment others use by proxy, resulting in better teaching environments, resulting in better pass rates and better qualified people.
I'm not saying there aren't many deserving highly intelligent people who, given the best funded education could go on to do genuine wonders IF they actually achieve during their education. Unfortunately it's a gamble that quite simply this country cannot afford. Why do students believe that with the current economic climate they should have no part in helping support the rest of the country? For years the rest of the country has been supporting students.
If I was a business (which most universities are as very few are state run or owned), and the government told me I can only charge up to a certain amount for my services provided, I would be in the street protesting. It is a situation that would not sit right with every single business owner in the UK, yet this is the situation universities have been in for years.
Education is a right, yes, up to secondary level. Not further. People saying they have the right to an affordable university education is unfortunately a misconception brought about by the tabloids printing 'right to education' every other shit stirring sentence and because compared to the rest of the world the British student has enjoyed some of the lowest further education costs in Europe. Times are not always so easy.
