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The "Demolition" has excelled itself following the release of the
Browne Report. Any chance of reducing the social economic and educational
gaps have now been blown to pieces and the future workforce will comprise
of a robotic like production line of upper class graduates, totally
removed from real life and social make-up. Clegg's public School colours
are now showing through the gloss and for Cameron and his chums, it is
status quo resumed.
The removal of a cap will now allow courses which are
popular, such as medicine, hold applicants to ransom regarding fee costs,
and places pressure on Cardiff University, a member of the Russell group
to follow England's lead and increase fees. I fear that even with pressure
from Welsh Assembly Government they will succeed in towing the "elite
club" line and this will further deter and create impossible barriers for
Welsh students who have the talent but not the cash.
Most people fear
debt and the thought of fees in excess of 7000 pounds a year will make going to
University seem as likely as meeting Father Christmas on Christmas Eve!
What hope does that give to the talented people of the South Wales
valleys, a chronic sufferer of poverty and Conservative suppression who
achieve outstanding grades without the added "extras" of Public School to
attend University to place a tonne weight around their neck?
I am also worried that the review takes very little notice of the longer
courses and fails to recognise that the average medical student already
graduates with well over 25,000 pounds worth of debt. When we qualify the debts
continue to mount as we have to sit postgraduate examinations to progress
which cost in excess of 400 pounds, with multiple examinations and pass rates of
around 33% meaning that this hurdle alone will add over 2000 pounds to the debt.
Add to this GMC fees of 400 pounds a year, medical indemnity costs, training
portfolio costs and Royal colleges membership, coupled with courses you
have to attend to progress and the total will make some mortgages seem
modest!
I wonder if Cameron and Clegg will actually be able to find a doctor,
lawyer, teacher etc. if and when they need them because, as things stand,
there may be more students staying at home and giving up hope that ever
before. This is definitely NOT fair!
Coalition Demolition
The "Demolition" has excelled itself following the release of the
Browne Report. Any chance of reducing the social economic and educational
gaps have now been blown to pieces and the future workforce will comprise
of a robotic like production line of upper class graduates, totally
removed from real life and social make-up. Clegg's public School colours
are now showing through the gloss and for Cameron and his chums, it is
status quo resumed.
The removal of a cap will now allow courses which are
popular, such as medicine, hold applicants to ransom regarding fee costs,
and places pressure on Cardiff University, a member of the Russell group
to follow England's lead and increase fees. I fear that even with pressure
from Welsh Assembly Government they will succeed in towing the "elite
club" line and this will further deter and create impossible barriers for
Welsh students who have the talent but not the cash.
Most people fear
debt and the thought of fees in excess of 7000 pounds a year will make going to
University seem as likely as meeting Father Christmas on Christmas Eve!
What hope does that give to the talented people of the South Wales
valleys, a chronic sufferer of poverty and Conservative suppression who
achieve outstanding grades without the added "extras" of Public School to
attend University to place a tonne weight around their neck?
I am also worried that the review takes very little notice of the longer
courses and fails to recognise that the average medical student already
graduates with well over 25,000 pounds worth of debt. When we qualify the debts
continue to mount as we have to sit postgraduate examinations to progress
which cost in excess of 400 pounds, with multiple examinations and pass rates of
around 33% meaning that this hurdle alone will add over 2000 pounds to the debt.
Add to this GMC fees of 400 pounds a year, medical indemnity costs, training
portfolio costs and Royal colleges membership, coupled with courses you
have to attend to progress and the total will make some mortgages seem
modest!
I wonder if Cameron and Clegg will actually be able to find a doctor,
lawyer, teacher etc. if and when they need them because, as things stand,
there may be more students staying at home and giving up hope that ever
before. This is definitely NOT fair!
Competing interests: No competing interests