Re-Introduce Third Level Fees

[luckycharmnp]

With all the talk about falling university budgets i am curious as to why the idea of re-introducing third level fees has not been mooted.
The budgets of all major universities have fallen by aproximately 20% if not more and to cope with this universities are having to cut back on the amount of 'education' on offer to students.
Why not re-introduce fees for university and thus help increase the level of education available to students. To help the less well off in life, the grant system could be further extended witht he extra resources available.
Also, the government could organise special loan rates, etc. for students who need to borrow and other matters culd be organise dso that a student recieves the best possible education.
There would also be extra resources available to help the first and second level education systems thus increasing the overall education experince for all.

[Gladstone]

PD's pulled the plug on that when FF sugested it the USI and Labour also mounted a campagn against it.

[meriwether]

PD's pulled the plug on that when FF sugested it the USI and Labour also mounted a campagn against it.

As did FG. Im against the reintroduction of fees, I feel if money was spent properly there would be no shortfall in University funding (misspending by the Govt that is, not by the Uni authorities.)

[TKwhiskers]

It's off the political agenda, there's no hope of fees being re-introduced.

[Jack_Flash]

It's off the political agenda, there's no hope of fees being re-introduced.

Don't be so sure. I'd say it's off the table for the time being but I wouldn't be surprised if it raised its ugly head again. Especially when OECD reports are recommending the reintroduction of fees.

[west_brit]

I’d be pro-fees and an ending of the grant system. Instead all students should get an interest free government loan to pay for fees which they can repay once they are working.

[Jack_Flash]

I’d be pro-fees and an ending of the grant system. Instead all students should get an interest free government loan to pay for fees which they can repay once they are working.

If it brings the standard of our universities up to world class standards I think a sheme like that would be acceptable. I'm not sure about the abolition of the grant scheme though. I think that that should remain to help certain sections of society achieve third level education.

[west_brit]

Well yes maybe there should be a stricter restrictions on grants I know plenty of people getting grants who shouldn’t.

[Gladstone]

I’d be pro-fees and an ending of the grant system. Instead all students should get an interest free government loan to pay for fees which they can repay once they are working.

Yes lets weight people down with debt the second they start in life.

Unlike welfare, I see free education as an investment not an expence, university grads (unless they are arts students :P ) contribute back to society ten times over.

[Jack_Flash]

I’d be pro-fees and an ending of the grant system. Instead all students should get an interest free government loan to pay for fees which they can repay once they are working.

Yes lets weight people down with debt the second they start in life.

Unlike welfare, I see free education as an investment not an expence, university grads (unless they are arts students :P ) contribute back to society ten times over.

Plenty of students freely decide to get a loan after college to head to Austrailia or somewhere else.