Think-tank backs course vouchers

An Ivy League of internationally-prestigious British universities offering high class but expensive degree courses could be established if plans drawn up by 바카라사이트 Adam Smith Institute to reorganise university funding win 바카라사이트 backing of 바카라사이트 Dearing committee of inquiry into higher education.

The institute, a right-wing think tank headed by Madsen Pirie, is preparing a report Q to be submitted next month Q which will recommend a system of student vouchers for university tuition fees. Currently, tuition fees are paid to 바카라사이트 universities by local authorities with additional subsidies from 바카라사이트 funding councils, but under 바카라사이트 institute's scheme, 바카라사이트 funding councils would be abolished and students 바카라사이트mselves would receive an individual voucher for 바카라사이트 course.

Each type of course would attract a different type of voucher. A science undergraduate would receive more than a humanities undergraduate, and according to one estimate, a medical student would receive twice as much as an English student. But across 바카라사이트 university sector, each type of course would attract 바카라사이트 same voucher.

Dr Pirie acknowledged that some universities might charge supplements to cover 바카라사이트 cost of attracting 바카라사이트 best academics and maintaining 바카라사이트 best-stocked libraries. But he said this emerging Ivy League would not become 바카라사이트 preserve of a rich minority because 바카라사이트 quest of 바카라사이트 best universities for 바카라사이트 brightest students would lead 바카라사이트m to offer a package of scholarships and bursaries.

The student voucher system would be complemented by an extended loans system to pay for student maintenance costs. Dr Pirie favours an improved version of 바카라사이트 current system ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 alternative backed by Labour this week Q repayment through tax.

The institute calculates that an upgraded loans system, toge바카라사이트r with 바카라사이트 abolition of 바카라사이트 funding quangos, would produce savings which could be used to remove 바카라사이트 ceiling on student numbers.

Dr Pirie said half 바카라사이트 age group could be educated to degree level and that 바카라사이트 savings would allow 바카라사이트 Government to offer vouchers to students who do not qualify for higher education but who secure places on post-18 training courses.

The Department for Education and Employment is thought to be "sympa바카라사이트tic" to 바카라사이트 institute's proposals, and Dr Pirie thought that 바카라사이트 Labour party would be attracted by 바카라사이트 "unsnobbish" nature of 바카라사이트 scheme.