Ugly means to an End

My first reaction to the student protest in London against fee rise was pessimistic but this morning when I read the guardian I realized that the fee rise will hit the students locally but more importantly it will affect the overseas students. Deputy Prime Minister's ugly plan to axe the richer students and help the poorer students of the rural area looks very alluring but it will reduce the inflow of overseas students coming into the UK. I was talking to an overseas student who pays nearly £10000 for her Master in London apart from her lodging and other payments. She also told me studying in the USA is much cheaper than in the UK.

Higher education costed around £1400 in 1980's but it is likely to go up to around £12000 by 2012 according to Clegg's fee rise policy. I like the idea of Mr. Clegg to help the less privileged students in the rural areas but the means used is really not suitable to the current times. Students have to pay through their nose in near future and this will either make the students not to study or students will look for opportunities abroad where education can be cheaper. This will ultimately hit the economy to a large extent and the wonderful plan of the present government to cut the deficit might end up in creating more deficit because overseas students support the economy extensively.

Another student friend of mine expressed her concern to meet both ends here in London. She was explaining how young girls go for prostitution (prostitution of any kind; modelling, stripper, etc.) to support their education and their lodging. It is really a pathetic situation. How are we going to justify this? Are we going to say what girls are doing is wrong? Or they are doing the right thing to support their education? It is really a big issue which is not addressed in a right way. I am sympathetic to the students who have to work hard especially in the free times in the coffee bars, shops and so on to support themselves. I witness pretty number of students do this part time job thus they can pursue their higher education. I am particularly sympathetic to the under graduate students who try to work and study. It must be absolutely hard for them since they have just come out from their cosy life with their parents. I have a student friend who worked whole of her summer to support herself in the coming year, now when does she rest? It is a big question. Do these students get some rest or they stress out when they just 18 years. This will ultimately lead them into a complete stressful life ahead.

Today's protest might get some hopeful results. Students from different walks of life are going to petition to the government to withdraw it's ugly plan to raise fee. I am perplexed at the government which promoted human concern especially in terms of economy before the election but now it is doing just the opposite. Dear students, let us go on fighting for a cause. I am sure we will yield its fruits later if not now.