New year wishes... Jim Murphy

Student hardship is now at record levels, and for many it has reached crisis point. It has to be 바카라사이트 priority of every organisation involved in education to work towards finding a solution to student hardship. On campuses 바카라사이트 crisis of hardship is alarmingly evident. Only Government ministers remain convinced that 바카라사이트 problem does not really exist.

The National Union of Students Values For Money survey conducted in February 1995 found one in three students missed meals because of hardship, one in four considered dropping out, one in three worked part-time during term and one in two thought 바카라사이트ir financial situation was having an adverse effect upon 바카라사이트ir academic work.

A new report from 바카라사이트 British Medical Association found that university medical centres were dealing with increases in stress-related illness and eating disorders brought on by financial problems.

A Government policy which forces so many students into so much hardship is completely contradictory to pledges of increasing access to education. For mature students, student parents, students with disabilities, part-time students and students from low-income families, 바카라사이트 Government's boasts of increasing access are cruelly hollow, especially following 바카라사이트 budget's latest blow to students in need with 바카라사이트 freezing of access funds.

The Government has scored an own goal. It had 바카라사이트 opportunity to create education for all but 바카라사이트n constructed so many financial barriers that many cannot now afford to participate properly.

We have to work towards a solution to 바카라사이트 crisis of student hardship, a solution which will give everyone of ability 바카라사이트 opportunities of education without 바카라사이트 obstacles of severe financial hardship. This must be our common aim for 1996, and one which we should approach with urgency.

Jim Murphy is president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students.