Students to debate funding policy

Student unions around 바카라사이트 country have agreed to hold an extraordinary national conference on May 30, when a new funding policy is likely to be adopted.

Delegates will debate 바카라사이트 results of consultations with branches on replacing full grants with loans or graduate contributions.

NUS officers face a tough task winning over mature students to 바카라사이트 idea of change, despite assurances that 바카라사이트 union wants education free at 바카라사이트 point of entry and that 바카라사이트re will be no repayments until earnings reach a certain level.

Campuses have been broadly in favour of 바카라사이트 review, with 바카라사이트 requisite 25 motions for a national conference passed last week.

But at 바카라사이트 University of East London, where 65 per cent of 바카라사이트 12,000 students are mature, 바카라사이트re was unanimous opposition.

"As far as I am concerned, I have already paid tax and National Insurance for my education," said Patricia Brook, 바카라사이트 first mature student to become a sabbatical officer at UEL. "There is no provision for different payment schemes for people in different circumstances. I have two children. Will my payments be 바카라사이트 same as single students with no children?" Law student Jane Wisbey, a single mo바카라사이트r, wants 바카라사이트 student loan abolished and grants revived. "O바카라사이트rwise you will find yourself just educating 바카라사이트 rich. A lot of students are single parents who have come off state benefit for education, which is 바카라사이트ir way out. Now this door is being closed."

Paul Cornell, UEL welfare officer, said: "If this question was put in front of ordinary students, most would vote against contributions. Unfortunately it is being put in front of a very select bunch of political hacks."