The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Policy, not politics, is key for Scots students
Sir, – It would appear that the attacks on free tuition for Scottish students have stepped up a gear.
According to Jenny Hjul, (Courier, June 27) “It is time the SNP put the future of young Scots from all backgrounds before its short-term political ambitions.”
I must say, I believed Jenny Hjul to be more realistic than to suggest that free tuition hinders people from poorer backgrounds getting into university.
Of course, the richest would have no problem paying for tuition. What happens, though, to those young people who would find it impossible to pay for university?
I will be going to university in September, something I would be unable to do if universities here charged exorbitant rates, as they do in the rest of the UK.
Those opposed to free tuition should look at the alternative – students saddled with massive debts, and people getting into university based on their wallets, not their qualifications.
If Jenny Hjul wishes to tell myself, and thousands of other Scottish students, why paying £9,000 a year for university is a good thing, my address is below – write to me.
Now we must ask ourselves – what is it about free tuition that so bothers people? Is it because people like me can go to university? No – it’s because it’s SNP policy.
Those in opposition to the SNP must look past their petty hatred of everything the party does and accept that free tuition is one of the greatest achievements of devolution.
Instead of pushing an anti-SNP narrative, perhaps they should talk to young people who are going to university because of its progressive policy.
The SNP has done the right thing for students across the country by allowing them to go into higher education without the worry of running up crippling student debts.
Before criticising yet another successful SNP policy, take off the bluetinted glasses and see just how much our students can achieve. Lloyd Melville. East Garden Cottage, Duntrune.