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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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State school students survey results 'crucial for Wales' says AM
July 4, 2006 12:00 AM
Peter Black talks to students at an anti-Fees Demonstration at the National Assembly for Wales
A recent study that shows that one in four of the brightest pupils from state schools have been put off higher education by university tuition fees, has vindicated Liberal Democrat opposition to the measure according to their Welsh Education Spokesperson, Peter Black.
The study was carried out by Target 10,000, an independent campaign group, which aims to increase access to university. They polled 7,000 lower sixth students who had been predicted three B-grades or above at A-level. More than a third of those questioned came from families on low incomes and 57% did not have a parent who went to university.
The study found that nearly a third (27%) of those asked were less likely to go to university following the introduction of the £3,000 fees, with nine out of ten saying that they knew 'little or nothing' of the financial support available, despite a high profile and expensive government campaign.
"This is yet another piece of evidence to confirm our view that young people from low income backgrounds are choosing not to go to college because they don't want to end up with a five figure debt hanging around their necks upon graduation," said Mr. Black. "It completely undermines the argument put forward by Labour Ministers that postponing fee repayments until after graduation will benefit those from the poorest backgrounds."
"Education is the key to social mobility for the individual, and deepening and widening our skills base is the key to continued national prosperity. Both are endangered by Labour's tuition fees policy. These survey results show that the Assembly must keep its nerve and continue to resist introducing top-up fees for Welsh students."
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