Help students make up for lost learning
THE Universities Minister announced a £50million rise in hardship funding this week.
It might sound a lot, but it falls well short of our recommendations and the Daily Express campaign.
In fact, it amounts to just £25 per student in England. Hardly enough to make up for the year of increased financial pressure from lost part-time jobs and reduced family income, while paying for accommodation that can’t be used.
In Wales, support announced by the devolved government is worth over £300 per student, while in Scotland it’s around £80. It won’t just fail to provide the financial help needed, it doesn’t cover rent refunds.
And there’s no mention of support for lost learning. While universities have worked hard to offer the best possible teaching, it could never match the normal offer and many students have missed vital opportunities. Some students have missed out on specific types of teaching, access to labs and studios, fieldwork, group activities and much more.
In some professional degrees this learning is essential for graduation and for others it is vital for progression.
Therefore, we recommended Government funds universities to provide learning remediation programmes.
This should focus on students who need practical experience to get their degrees, but it should be available to all who missed out. These programmes could run through the summer.
It’s a better and fairer way to support students than the tuition fee discounts which some have suggested. MPs and peers from across the political spectrum made a bold call for Government to support students. Ministers have ducked their responsibilities and must now think again.