The government's plan is to support the poorest and provide a chance of better social mobility. On the one hand the government is proud of the "progressive" tuition fee plan that it is planning to introduce; ministers believe it provides a fairer chance for students from low-income families, offering greater opportunities for those "intelligent children from the poorest 40%'' to attend Russell Group universities. On the other hand, they are planning to scrap the education maintenance allowance (EMA), thereby depriving thousands of students from the chance to pursue their careers. Where's the sense it that?
What is the EMA? It's a type of benefit on offer for 16- to 18-year-olds in further education from low-income families intended to help pay for essential resources that parents are unable to fund, such as books, stationery and travel cards. The EMA was introduced by the Labour government to encourage people to stay in education beyond the age it was compulsory.
Thousands of students around the UK, along with me, rely on the EMA to get by every day. Without the allowance we would be unable to pay for those necessities, which are at the heart of any educational success; therefore, by scrapping it, the government is ruining our chances of achieving the grades required to apply to the highest-ranking universities. Thousands will be left with disillusioned dreams of bettering their lives. Is that not the reverse effect of what the government is trying to achieve?
Statistics show that the EMA has increased participation and retention in full-time post-16 education. Yet we are now faced with spending more and more hours outside of school working – not doing homework, but earning cash for the basic tools of education. It's difficult to achieve to the best of your abilities in these circumstances.
This is not just a selfish plea for our lives to be made easier. Increasing participation benefits the whole of society in the end. Our generation is the country's future and education should be a priority. If our EMA is taken away, will the government offer alternatives? Free travel, free books, free stationery … and if not, will they take responsibility for the lives they will have changed?
Tens of thousands of students braved the freezing weather to fight against government cuts. This fight will not end any time soon; we will continue to protest peacefully to secure our access to education.
source:www.guardian.co.uk
What is the EMA? It's a type of benefit on offer for 16- to 18-year-olds in further education from low-income families intended to help pay for essential resources that parents are unable to fund, such as books, stationery and travel cards. The EMA was introduced by the Labour government to encourage people to stay in education beyond the age it was compulsory.
Thousands of students around the UK, along with me, rely on the EMA to get by every day. Without the allowance we would be unable to pay for those necessities, which are at the heart of any educational success; therefore, by scrapping it, the government is ruining our chances of achieving the grades required to apply to the highest-ranking universities. Thousands will be left with disillusioned dreams of bettering their lives. Is that not the reverse effect of what the government is trying to achieve?
Statistics show that the EMA has increased participation and retention in full-time post-16 education. Yet we are now faced with spending more and more hours outside of school working – not doing homework, but earning cash for the basic tools of education. It's difficult to achieve to the best of your abilities in these circumstances.
This is not just a selfish plea for our lives to be made easier. Increasing participation benefits the whole of society in the end. Our generation is the country's future and education should be a priority. If our EMA is taken away, will the government offer alternatives? Free travel, free books, free stationery … and if not, will they take responsibility for the lives they will have changed?
Tens of thousands of students braved the freezing weather to fight against government cuts. This fight will not end any time soon; we will continue to protest peacefully to secure our access to education.
source:www.guardian.co.uk
