Loans threat looms large for students

By Globe reporter

Students question the Education Department during a meeting to discuss student loans.

THE idea of Guernsey graduates leaving university more than £9,000 in debt is closer to becoming a reality.

Deputy Charles Parkinson stated last week that a surplus of £70m. in States finances should not mean the end of student loans.

If the introduction of loans goes ahead as planned, it will leave students to pay the price.

‘I’ve long believed it was right in principle to make people, who, after all, are adults, start to take responsibility for their own careers and financial affairs,’ said Deputy Parkinson.

However, States members against student loans are expected to meet this week to finalise a move to take the issue back to the House.

Around 20 of the 47 States members could attend the meeting to decide the wording of a requete and who will lead it. If they are as successful as Deputy Scott Ogier was in holding back the go-ahead for an incinerator, they could delay student loans implementation.

Concerns in schools have grown and some students are being discouraged from going to university.

Those wishing to study courses such as teaching, social work and nursing are in a vulnerable position. When returning to the island they will not be earning as much as those in the finance industry, which will make it difficult to pay off the massive debt.

The island is in need of people qualified in those professions and with no way of gaining the required qualifications in Guernsey, students are left no choice but to go to the UK.

Youngsters are worried that it seems the people in charge of shaping the islands future are not giving the support to the generation who will have to live in it.

Article posted on 5th June, 2008 - 3.30pm

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