In a controversial move the Oxford University Chancellor, Chris Patten, has encouraged the Government to remove the “intolerably low” cap on tuition fees.
Patten claims that the current system treats Universities like Social Security offices, infringing on a university’s independence in order to drive forward the political agenda of improving education and social mobility. The Chancellor also declared that there was "no chance" of Oxford meeting government targets for increasing the proportion of state pupils attending Oxford until state schools caught up with private schools in A-level results. John Denham, the Secretary of State for Universities accused the Oxford Chancellor of trying to preserve the university, for a socially elite intake. A long-standing opponent of Patten, Denham argued that the “outmoded” views of Patten had no place in today’s university system. Patten was also criticised by the student union of Newcastle University, where he is also chancellor, for his comments.
Patten’s views, however controversial, have some popular support. Critics of the claimed “low” tuition fees have argued that there are an abundance of jobs available with decent salaries and prospects for which a degree is not essential or relevant. They argue that raising the cap on fees would force students to really consider whether or not a degree is relevant to their careers, or worth the debt.
The current financial situation in the UK is also not favourable for those wanting tuition fees abolished. It must be acknowledged that ultimately, someone must pay for university education – and as the numbers of those attending university have risen dramatically in recent years, this is by no means a small sum. Arguably, any drop in the amount of tuition fees would mean a change in tax, and if you were to ask any factory worker or sales assistant whether they would be willing to see a rise in the prices they pay in order to fund the tuition fees of university students it would be simple to predict what the robust answer would be. It is doubtful that any mainstream political party would propose an increase in taxes at this time for such ends.
As a student, scrapping top-up fees is clearly desirable for me – as well as every other student in the UK. I’m unfortunate to fall into the group of students whose household income is high enough for me to be assessed as not needing a maintenance grant, but too low for me to be comfortably supported by my parents. Having said that, I acknowledge that someone has to pay for me to attend university, and the privilege of being a student does come with certain responsibilities. I do feel that a contribution towards education does result in students being savvier with what they do with their time whilst studying, which is clearly desirable for everyone – even the National Union of Students now accepts that graduates should make some contribution towards the cost of their higher education. However, the increasing demand from certain universities to raise fees shows that if the cap were raised it would be used to weed out applicants from “undesirable social backgrounds” before the application process had even begun. This elitist attitude is evident from Patten’s recent comments, which are ignorant to the ever-increasing need to widen participation in higher education.
In real terms, something has to change as the current system is completely unworkable. Currently, the student loans system in the UK is a shambles. Official figures recently released by the Liberal Democrats show that one in three graduates are not repaying their student loans. What is needed is a completely reformed, comprehensive system of loans and grants that will make a university education affordable for all of those who want and need it.
Ultimately, someone has to pay for education, and nobody can deny the chronic under funding of British Universities – but right now the question remains as to whether Patten’s desires will be satisfied in the near future.
By Amardeep Kainth
