Morning:
10°c
Universities fail to attract poorer teens
Evening Standard26 Feb 2009
The number of teenagers from poorer homes going to university has barely increased under Labour despite a government investment of almost £400 million, MPs said today.
The proportion went up by two per cent, to 29 per cent, between 2001 and 2007.
Overall, the number of deprived teenagers going to university each year increased from 67,823 to 73,094, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said.
The small increase comes despite £392million being given to universities since 2001 to attract more working-class students.
Reader views (3)
Meaningless university degrees awarded by third rate ex polytechnics create false hopes and expectations for many young people.
The Government's commitment to FE for all is misguided, just like everything this failing administration seeks to engineer.
There is a requirement in this country for all skill levels and those who aspire to great things will get to university, irrespective of their background. Government social engineering and meddling just creates false hopes and and a distorted society.
- Nigel, St Albans, 26/02/2009 17:19
Report abuse
Reality byte -
These potential students, regardless of their intellectual abilities have to support themselves. They will often also have others looking to them for support. Low end jobs and serious study are not happy bed-fellows.
There's no such thing as 'simple' reasons why something doesn't work. Its that "knee-bone connected to the thigh bone..." thing.
- Rogan, Irving, 26/02/2009 17:18
Report abuse
Taxpayers might get better value for money if the Government were to set up a means tested bursary system, whereby students who qualify would receive up to £20000 to cover the cost of fees and accomodation. At this rate the 5000 additional student would cost £100,000,000. Given these figure the same amount could have supported 20000 students. But then my arithmetic is probably different to politicians' arithmetic
- Jeremiah, London, 26/02/2009 14:59
Report abuse
