Could Student Fee Rise Make Things Worse?

IMAGE BY: Allvoices.com

Despite national protests against the proposed rise in student tuition fees, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have approved plans to up fees to as much as nine grand a year. The major controversy that has united students in anger across the country is the betrayal by the Liberal Democrats who according to their own party policies are against a rise of students fees and despite party leader, Nick Clegg's election promise not to increase tuition fees, the party has joined the Conservatives in increasing the fees. Was the promise just a foil to get votes? Were the Lib Dems ever even serious about decreasing (or at least freezing) the university tuition fees?

But perhaps more importantly, will the increase actually help the countries financial situation at all?

While the government are safe guarding the poorest students, as those who gain free school meals are set to get the first two years free, the rest are set to suffer - including those who are not in any way financially supported by their parents. In fact those who will be set to receive a helping hand, are the lowest percentage of youngsters who go on to university, so in short, they won't be safeguarding anyone and some might say that it's just a crooked way of seemingly softening the blow.

By reputation, the Conservative party are seen to be made up of extremely rich men who are only interested in protecting themselves and those equally as well off. In a bid to change this public opinion, they have tried using strategies that will seem as if they do care about the working class but when in fact, those strategies and policies will only reach a very small fraction of the population. The main section of society, those considered to be the working class, will be left to struggle.

The other issue is that the rise in fees will invertedly discourage prospective students from going to university. This in turn will lead to a decline in university admissions, causing university's themselves to struggle financially and eventually leading to a decline in the quality of education on offer. At this currently time, England arguably as the best education system in the world; while not perfect, the country does offer a better standard than our rivals. But with this rise in fees, could cause a decline in quality. Not only this, but it could discourage our doctors, scientists, engineers and teachers of the future as the price of education will be to high.

With a lack of prospects and opportunities, the working class will get poorer, meaning more people will need financially support from the government and the mess left by the Labour government will seem like a distant paradise!

Overreaction? Maybe. But one thing is for certain, this isn't going to end well.