How education has changed in the past 30 years. In my youth there were no school proms with bonny lassies wearing evening dresses and laddies in their first evening suit and arriving at expensive hotels in stretch limos. Even children as young as seven are in on the action. Back then the only graduation ceremonies which took place were for those who had successfully completed a university degree course but nowadays ceremonies are held for a mix of higher education courses.
There has been much talk about university fees in recent months and Scotland has come in for criticism because the government insists upon no tuition fees at Scottish universities. Little is said about the same ruling applying to further education colleges and there are more colleges in Scotland than universities.
Scotland attracts many EU students who can claim for payment of their tuition fees from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Claims can be made for non-degree studies such as HNC/HND courses as long as the student meets eligibility requirements.
The number of EU students studying in Scotland increased by 17% between 2008/9 and 2009/10. In contrast the number of EU students attending English institutions increased by only 6% during the same period. European law means that the Scottish Government is obliged to pay the fees of students living in non-UK EU countries - at a cost of more than £75 million a year in 2009/10.
That figure could increase drastically now that Germany is about to shorten its schooling from 13 to 12 years. The change will result in two high school streams graduating in the same year, putting unprecedented strain on the country's university admissions system. Where are all these pupils going to go?
Neil Mitchison, head of the European Commission's Office in Scotland said: "German universities may struggle to accommodation the massive number of expected applications, forcing many students to seek education abroad. Scotland's free education system makes it a very attractive option." (my emphasis)
What may happen in Germany is that German universities chose those with the highest school qualifications for courses, leaving those with lesser grades to look elsewhere.
Do we really want our higher education system to be renowned for being free rather than top quality? Last week Mike Russell, the education secretary, suddenly decided Scotland couldn't afford to fund students who come from EU countries to study, at either a university or a college, so he intends to tackle this 'anomaly' when he visits Brussels next month.
The EU states that if countries charge their own students then EU students must pay in the same way. In England they pay tuition fees while in Scotland they used to pay the £2,300 Graduate Endowment. The SNP government scrapped the endowment in 2007 with the approval of parliament but this would now appear to be a badly thought out policy. Blaming EU legislation isn't good enough. The Scottish government must have realised that abolishing fees would result in an influx of EU students keen to gain free education.
Will Mr Russell's problem be sympathetically received in Brussels or will the officials say it is of his government's own making? We'll find out next month but in the meantime the £75 million worth of free education to EU students last year is sure to be higher in 2011.
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Scotland limits the number of EU students. Just as other members of the EU put limits on the numbers of workers from new member nations.
And/or; Scotland applies a pro forma charge per year of £3k. Subject to the recipient meeting the expected standards and attendance for the course the charge is refunded.
It would then be up to the students national government whether they match this refund or ignore it.
Conversely we could just get on with getting out of both the Union and the EU.
The difficulty is that universities are an expensive form of education and somebody has to pay one way or another. If you offer it "free" whilst others require fees then you will get a lot of interest, especially if places elsewhere are in short supply. A part of the problem is that UK universities as a whole, with a few limited exceptions, have not built up their own wealth or endowment funds etc. to enable lower rates of fees. Also there is the question of why those on lower incomes should pay for the education of the wealthier. There are no right answers to this one.
I can't find any evidence of that RA. The UK government have put a cap on students but I can find no legislation from the Scottish government in this regard.
I agree there can be a pro forma charge but it is refunded when the course is complete. Even though the fees cost Scotland £75 million last year.
Why should their national government match the refund when they know their own youngsters can come to Scotland and receive free education?
We should be free to offer those who have been educated in the Scottish schools system free higher education if that's what the people want. For others they should pay.
As even Mike Russell said last week 'we don't want to be the cheap option'.
The SNP should have thought this through and done something about this before they announced all higher education would be free.
£75 million could help a lot of bright youngsters who are financially unable to progress in their own education hopes.
It is expensive Demetrius, yet many youngster feel they're entitled to it and that others should pay - rather like a continuation of their schooling.
Couldn't agree more with your assessment of our universities. In fact we have so many 'new' ones who have yet to acquire a reputation for anything.
There may be no right answers but I don't see why EU students can have free education and yet English, Welsh and N Irish cannot.
It's all very well Scotland wishing to look unique in offering free university/college education to those currently eligible but we can't afford it.
How many young talented Scots are denied a place because they can't afford the other costs involved?
SR - I was putting forward suggestions and should have made clear the refund applied to Scottish students only and would be applied on a yearly term.
The national governments of foreign students could then decide whether they adopted the same practice or ignored it.
Meaning, while Scotland charges, it separately refunds (apply it as a bursary?) provided the standards are met, while foreign students are charged the same, but whether they're refunded or not is down to their own national government.
Call it skinning cats
Ah, I'm with you now RA. Yes skinning cats indeed, but will the EU wear it? Somehow I don't think so. In this matter I feel the SNP have shot themselves in the foot and the costs will grow greater, particularly now that Germany is to have a year of excess.
Would you like to bet that the Germans will cream off the best for themselves then the others will find there way to cheap Scotland?
Rosa; as in any other administration, if the EU passes statutes that create costs for any member of its organisation it should make provisions for that costs?
To take your concern to its maximum,i.e. every student in Europe applying for entrance to a Scottish university is a logistical impossibility in one hand. Or, within the physical restraints of space, places and domestic requirements, an opportunity for Scotland to become a hub of learning.
The Devil as always is in the detail and, at present, the major detail is Scotland has to fight its corner on two fronts. One of which wants to see it silenced and docile ,Westminster; and the other where it has no direct representation, the EU.
Not the best of positions to be in. But, occasionally, being cornered develops the lateral thinking that lead to worthwhile solutions.
Conversely Rosa, Scotland could end up as the (or, at least a major) educational hub for Europe.
Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophers has left a new comment on your post "Scotland, The Cheap Option?":
Rosa; as in any other administration, if the EU passes statutes that create costs for any member of its organisation it should make provisions for that costs?
To take your concern to its maximum,i.e. every student in Europe applying for entrance to a Scottish university is a logistical impossibility in one hand. Or, within the physical restraints of space, places and domestic requirements, an opportunity for Scotland to become a hub of learning.
The Devil as always is in the detail and, at present, the major detail is Scotland has to fight its corner on two fronts. One of which wants to see it silenced and docile ,Westminster; and the other where it has no direct representation, the EU.
Not the best of positions to be in. But, occasionally, being cornered develops the lateral thinking that lead to worthwhile solutions.
RA, for some reason your post didn't publish so I've published it.
Yes I see that, but also the system should benefit Scots.
It would be grand if we became a major hub for Europe but we must ensure we offer exceptional standards. A difficult balancing act I should think.
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