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This isn't such a simple story. The current Scottish Government has been widely criticised by opponents for using cuts in the College budgets to fund their fre
by sambeau 12y ago
This isn't such a simple story.
The current Scottish Government has been widely criticised by opponents for using cuts in the College budgets to fund their free tuition policy for Universities.
As colleges and universities are, sadly, still stratified by class in the UK this could have a detrimental on effect for social mobility in Scotland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23871169 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-2387...
- brianmcc 12y agoInteresting point. Genuine question: you don't feel that basically free degree courses are, with some individual cases to the contrary, sure, still a massive net benefit to social mobility?
- sambeau 12y agoOpponents argue that it is of a small net benefit to the middle classes and those who do well at school first time round. They suggest that those who require to use college to gain entrance to university and those who cannot afford to be supported through four years of higher education (grants and loans being unable to cover living costs) are left out (along with young people who simply want to learn a trade) in favour of those that can afford it. I, however, was very careful to not bring personal politics into this ;-)
- brianmcc 12y agoFair enough. FWIW I think we do need more of a focus on vocational training, apprenticeships, and that degrees-for-all isn't the right direction, per se. But I must admit I hadn't really been too aware that some folks were losing out in the "no tuition fees" thing. Never black and white is it...