The new medal system for universities is another example of the Government “pitting public services against each other” and will not improve standards, the Green Party has warned.
Responding to news today that fees will rise with the introduction if the new system Vix Lowthion, education spokesperson and a secondary school teacher in the Isle of Wight, said instead universities need to be properly funded and fees scrapped.
Lowthion said:
“I am extremely disappointed that the cap on tuition fees will rise once again. Students already leave university crippled with debt and this news will be devastating for those planning to start a course in the next two years.
“University prepares students for life and employment and this privilege should be available to all, not just those who can afford it. We must scrap university fees immediately.
“This new system of grading universities is indicative of the Government’s obsession with results and competition. It is good that efforts are being made to encourage high standards but this award system is far too simplistic.
“Pitting public services against each other, such as this medal system, fails time and time again to improve standards. If we want all our universities to provide the best teaching possible, we need to adequately fund them and pay lecturers a fair wage to allow them time to teach and to lead the UK in high quality academic research.”
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