College Fees? Yes or No?

therecklessone

I was going to post a poll, but then I realised that there are just to many options to list...

I'd like to know what how people feel about the reintroduction(or not) of college fees. Will making people pay fees up front help increase access for those from disadvantaged backgrounds? Will it lead to a general improvement in the courses and facilities at the various third level institutes?

If you do favour a form of fees, should it be up-front? A student loan system? Graduate tax? And what sort of circumstances should be taken into consideration...income levels for example.

My own two cents:

The barrier to third level education for the disadvantaged doesn't start at 3rd level, it starts at primary school. Its 12 year old kids arriving at secondary school without basic literacy and numeracy that means the numbers attending 3rd level remain so low. Education is a complex issue, but I believe some of the factors affecting participation levels are the following:
1. Teaching standards.
2. The curriculum itself.
3. The standard of school buildings, and class size.

Address these and you go some way toward solving the problems. I do believe that graduates should pay in some way for their education. I'd favour a graduate tax, beginning payment at a certain period of time after graduation, with an income threshold included. Also, provision could be made for exemption, possibly on the grounds of "social need", for want of a better term. Possibly exempt nurses, or teachers working within disadvantaged areas.

I speak as a graduate of UCD, and I started college the year before full fees were removed. I had to pay half-fees in 1st year, and even that was a bit of a struggle (it was less than a £1000, can't remember exactly). I did an Arts degree, so I had plenty of "off" time that I could work during, but I still found it hard, and my parents were in no position to completely fund my time in college. My final year I worked a 32 hour week in addition to about 20 hours lectures/tutorials, and I know for a fact my 2nd semester work suffered. I'd moved on campus at that stage to avoid a 4 hour commute, and I was rarely on the piss, before anyone assumes I was. I could not have gone to college with full fees in my opinion.

Sory if this has been asked before, its promted by a Pat Rabbite interview I saw at the weekend.

kaimera

student loan: end up paying back wayy to much and still be paying it back years after you graduate.

I cant see it helping thoss from disadvantaged families.
I mean, I dont know the cost of college fees but how many families can cough up a the few grand PER child.

with me this coming college year, I've got my brother going as well.
twice the ****ing burden in the on year ffs.

And what sort of circumstances should be taken into consideration...income levels for example

income levels are takne into account for grants aren't they?

therecklessone

Originally posted by Kaimera


income levels are takne into account for grants aren't they?

Yeah, but in my day the figures were ridiculously low...

You'd want your folks to be earning tuppence ha'penny to qualify:D

Stark

And the methods of assessment seem to be really ****ed up.