The costs to society of higher tuition fees are real

The Government has taken a patronising approach to student criticisms of tuition fees. Before the vote Nick Clegg said that students had not actually read his proposals. Now that they have passed the vote they have appointed Simon Hughes to address “misinformation” about the higher fees rather than deal with issues raised by them.

However, what they have failed to realise is that young people do understand the new system of higher fees but are worried about the real costs to society. It is true that under the new system people from low income families will pay less than they would under the current scheme, and this should be applauded. However, many people will be paying vastly more than they currently do and this may well put them off further study.

People who are going to be earning just over £20,000 per year will end up paying off their student loans for most of their working lives. Those who fit into this group include teachers, social workers and many council workers. Because of interest rates they will be paying more for their education than those who use their degree to go into the higher paying financial sector. This represents a complete failure to value the service of people in this group and will deter people from choosing these careers. But worse than that, it presents the message that making money is the most important value in society and the only value in education.

The marketisation of Higher Education reduces choices about education to a question of increasing future earnings. The plans aim for students to be choosing between universities which cost them different amounts depending on how much money it can bring them in the future. Higher fees will deter people from choosing any course that they don’t see as a way to directly bring them more money. But education should be about more than just money. Further and Higher Education create social goods that cannot be easily reduced to how much money they generate.

One of the most relevant examples of this for Christians is the study of Theology. Theology departments are facing up to 100% cuts from government funding and are being threatened with closure across the country. They will have to rely solely upon fees from students, who could be deterred by the new system. Studying theology is crucial for the future of the Church. Paul points out the vital part played by education and knowledge in the life of the church (1 Corinthians 12).

Outside of Theology, many humanities subjects are endangered and the loss of each of these subjects presents a distinct cost to society that might not be easily economically measured. But as Christians we value education above how much money we make. In proverbs we are told to seek wisdom no matter the cost (4) because it will help us know God better (2). The new funding system will mean that those who choose to go to university for any reason other than to get a high paying job will pay more.

Universities could be sustainably funded without punishing low earners. This could be achieved by increasing government funding from general taxation and lowering student loan interest rates, or by using a graduate tax based upon what people earn. In removing tax funding from university courses the government is putting education at risk. Even if we accept higher fees, the government's insistence upon removing funding a year before they come into effect is just irresponsible.

If the Government truly values education beyond profit then it must present some way of ensuring that departments of less profit-based courses don’t close and that students are not deterred from pursuing a wider education.

Tim Stacey is a student at the University of York and member of the Student Christian Movement