SDLP Youth campaign for proper student packages

national | miscellaneous | press release Tuesday May 22, 2007 23:22 by SDLP Youth - SDLP

SDLP Youth activists campaigned today for an end to devastating top up fees.

SDLP Youth were this morning joined by SDLP Employment and Learning Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA and other party representatives at Parliament Buildings Stormont to put pressure on the Minster for Employment and Learning Reg Empey to ensure that proper student support packages are put in place for young people progressing to third level education in the North.

SDLP Youth believes that there should be no barriers to accessing third level education and many people are put at a huge disadvantage simply due to the financial considerations involved.

Speaking today Cllr. Matthew McDermott stated: “It is clear that the fear of debt for thousands of students is putting many off going into third level education. Between 2005 and 2006 the number of students entering third level Institutions in the North has decreased and continues to fall.

In the last assembly SDLP Ministers secured the best student support package on these islands. The SDLP fully underlines our shared goal of an end to student fees and a properly funded system of financing third level education. It is clear that the current financial provision for students is just not good enough. Education, including Further and Higher Education, must be agreed as a priority of this Assembly. Having secured £65 million of funding, the resources were directed at those families on lowest incomes so that over 50% of students now pay no fees; 25% pay partial fees and grants have been reintroduced for those in greatest need.

SDLP youth believes that financial considerations should not be a block to accessing third level education. We are calling on the Minister for Employment and Learning to ensure that proper, well resourced and long lasting funding streams are put in place so that all students, from whatever background can access and complete third level courses.”

SDLP Employment and Learning Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA concluded: “The SDLP hopes to bring a motion on this matter to the Assembly in the very near future. We hope that the Minister responsible will work with the Employment and Learning Committee, the Executive and the Assembly to ensure that a fair and equitable student support package can be delivered.”