Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

STUDENTS

Batten down the hatches, get out the Kleenex – we are in for a bumpy ride. Yes, its exam time again. University students all over the country have begun the turbulent countdown to the nerve-racking climax of their studies. But the pain is not just felt by them alone. Parents who field the late night phone calls and mop fevered brows, often from a great distance, go through the agony with them.

I can remember the nightmare well. There is always some brainy swot loudly parading his brilliance outside the exam hall just moments before kick-off, undermining confidence as your own mind goes a total blank. And what genius designed modern life so that the anxiety of finals and the stress of finding that crucial first job come crashing in at the same time?

The question is: is it worth it? Most students now leave college with loan debts of over £12,000 that must be paid off over their first few working years. Already most households have to stump up £1,000 pa in fees and there is now talk of top up fees, increasing the financial pain for graduates and their families. Should we be more generous in our taxpayers support for people who are after all going to contribute massively to the future economy and culture of this country?

Some people call for the end of loans and a return to grants. But is it right that the taxes of the 60% of school leavers who do not go on to higher education should support the studies of those who do? Recent estimates have suggested that the average graduate will earn as much as £400,000 more than a non-graduate over the course of a lifetime. Should others pay for that leg up into comfort?

I think the balance is about right. I cannot see any political party pledging itself to return to grant-based support. I see no reason why each of us should not invest in our own futures, although the payback terms should certainly be generous and not discourage people from making that decision. Good luck to all those who are days away from the final frontier – it is worth it.

But I cannot prevent a wry smile. The two wealthiest people I know in Plymouth both left school at 15 with nothing. Academic qualifications are important, but character, personality and drive still count for more. May it always be so!

posted by Nigel on Friday, May 09, 2003