12 December 2010
10:4284190There is also the question of value for money. My son attends a prestigious uni and is enjoying the opportunity - which incidentally is the result of his own ability and hard work as well as our commitment to support him. But the VFM in terms of accommodation and general management of the resources used to deliver that education is dubious to say the least. The idea that he would need to pay MORE for the facilities is outrageous, and I will demand to examine the books if and when it happens.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 December 2010
15:3284205i caught the tail end of a news article that seemed to indicate that chldren that were getting free school meals would get a better deal, didn 't get the details.
the problem could be that 20% of families that are entitled to school free meals do not claim for them.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
12 December 2010
15:4184207There are various financial ways in which universities are being 'encouraged' to recruit more students from schools with lower expectations of their students, which are usually those which have a higher proportion of students claiming free meals.
Twenty years ago with other colleagues I started doing what are now called 'outreach' activities in schools and with Kent Science Fairs to promote scientific careers among children from primary age upwards and was told it wasn't a priority for my time - now universities are expected to do this and assessed on their activities for governement funding.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 December 2010
16:5184218ray
these out reach activities, who carried them out then if the universities do it now?
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
12 December 2010
17:5284240howard,if my memory serves me right the ymca where one of the instegaters of the fore said out reach,allso now conexions are doing there bit.
12 December 2010
18:0284243I want to encourage all young people to learn stuff, and applaud any moves that genuinely support people. BUT, why do I, as a middle income earner already supporting one (adult at 19) son through Uni have to support others, especially if they are doing those all-too-common macrame for eejits or pasta making for the hard-of-thinking type degrees? It worked fine a few years ago: the academic kids went to uni and did academic stuff, the more talented kids in practical ways went to tech college or other more practical colleges and did trades and practical courses. Both important, both necessary, and at that time both supported and rewarded appropriately. Everyone benefitted. And then Blair happened.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
12 December 2010
21:4584273My thoughts entirely, Bern
. My daughter could not afford to help her son Dan through uni so I had too, it will be the same with Jamie if he goes. Thank goodness for my husband paid into a merchant navy pension.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
