States backtracks on student loans

By Simon Tostevin

STUDENT loans are now out of the equation until the start of the 2012 academic year. States members yesterday overturned November’s decision to introduce them.

A vote of 34 to 10 saw the requete to maintain the present system of States financial assistance succeed. That followed an amendment from the Policy Council that the annual cost could not rise above £7m. at 2006 values being rejected by 24 votes to 20.

Requete leader and Education member Deputy Matt Fallaize (pictured) welcomed the decision. ‘I think it was obvious there was a coalition of people who were against student contributions in principle or opposed to this particular student loans scheme.

‘I’m yet to be persuaded, given our very small student numbers, that we will ever find a student loans scheme or student contribution scheme that is going to be cost effective.

‘But this type of scheme, which would have required £2.5m. of student contribution to fund just a £1m. saving in States spending, was not cost-effective or logical and I’m pleased the States reversed that today.’

Article posted on 26th September, 2008 - 2.29pm

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