The TimesOnline’s ‘student debt’ poll: annoying for all kinds of reasons
“Would you pay an extra penny on income tax to subsidise students?” asks the TimesOnline in this worst-of-all-kinds-of-survey.
Why is this so annoying?
Firstly, because the question is pretty meaningless. If you don’t think so, then take it seriously for a moment and try to answer it yourself. Yes? No? It depends…?
It’s annoying because the issues of student debt and the way that education is funded are far more complex than this dumbed-down, ‘web-friendly’ question implies.
Secondly, because I’m not prepared to talk about subsidising education until we talk that other big student expense that never gets talked about: alcohol and drugs.
But guess what? When did you last hear ANYONE honestly account for the part that alcohol and drugs played in their ‘£15,000′ overdraft? Funny isn’t it? They don’t, ever. It’s always ‘tuition fees, books, rent, food’.
Booo! Party-pooper!
In case you think I’m being fuddy duddy, I’ve been there and done it myself. First as a student at university (where I spend a healthy amount on drink and drugs) and secondly as a university lecturer (where – like most, if not all of my colleagues – I also spent a healthy amount on drink and drugs).
So it’s not about a moral highground. It’s about honesty. In answer to your question, TimesOnline: ‘No. I’m not prepared to subsibise ongoing cultural denial about the trouble our education system and our students are in with alcohol and substance abuse.’
Now, which box should I tick?
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