When it comes to education issues, it's like any hot political topic. I sit on the fence, attempting to be out of the reach of those with passionate views, taking a swipe at my confusing beliefs on the matter.
It has to be said, given that I am a sixth form student with no current job (a list of the places I've been rejected from could easily max out any post word limit), I have turned a somewhat blind eye to the financial side of things. Nevertheless I met several US uni reps and was honestly tempted to jump over the pond by the sweet promises of a beautifully rounded liberal arts programme as well as a potentially generous bursary. In the end, my dilute patriotism, prospect of being that much further from homemade shakh rotli (yes that's an ethnic cultural reference - best ask your closest Indian mate, or the nearest Indian person if you don't have one - check tech support and corner shops), the mammoth costs had I not been eligible for a bursary, as well as the fact nothing is legal there until you're 21. I mean, seriously? 3 more years? That's almost your entire time at uni!
But an article originally in the Sunday times (quoted in this blog post) on a related matter really got my blood boiling. It recounts the work of the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity focussed on improvement through education, funded by philanthropist Sir Peter Lampl. A lot of what is being said is perfectly reasonable; underprivileged kids in this country stand to lose out in this country, and the attempted meritocracy which successive governments over the past 5 or so decades have attempted to create has hopelessly failed, with the disappearance of grammar schools, direct grant schools and assisted places as well as the conversion of polytechnics into unis. The slow, yet incomplete death of grammar schools could be considered as one of the finest examples of New Labour attempting to phase out elitism in the education system yet in the process ruining a system that worked, widening the gap between public and state school education. In some ways, University across the pond is fantastic. In addition to the aspects that tempted me like a sailor to a Siren's song, of course the top 'Ivy League' universities are wealthy beyond imagination, and will no doubt cater to your every needs, funding travel and living expenses too (if you qualify for the needs blind entry).
Yet the attitude towards the situation in Britain was ignorance in its prime. Lampl himself is quoted to be saying "I’ve brought you here because Britain is just a small island off the coast of Europe, while America is a a vast and exciting place, full of possibility." I don't wish to discredit the words of this respectable businessman who has had much experience of success on both shores, but this statement, echoed by the kids being taken around in this article, describes an outdated attitude assumed by many immigrants flocking to the United States of America in the early 20th Century - in pursuit of The American Dream. Anybody who believes such a concept still exists needs to pinch themselves, or alternatively watch George Carlin. Yes, possibility is there, but so is corporate greed, corruption and uneven welfare distribution - which could be very problematic to the dreamers in the article, hoping to go into business after 'golden college years'. Not every US based company, no matter how much venture-capital investment is poured into it, will turn out to be a Google. Delusion is not the answer.
So please. To everybody considering uni in the next couple of years. Give this small island another chance. After all, it is at the doorstep of Europe and the EU, an entity with financial problems but a growing industrial might nevertheless. I'm not hoping to crush hopes and dreams with my inherent pessimism, no, university education in the United States has some very attractive qualities; but one must be mindful of the presence of overseas quotas, and various incompatibilities involving some courses. Additionally, those hell-bent on exactly what they want to do at uni may find the liberal arts curriculum unfocussed. The Sutton trust has done wonders in helping talented youngsters achieve places at Russell group universities (including Oxbridge) and providing them with the ways means to visit the places where they might like to study - and continue doing so, instead of actively encouraging kids to go abroad in increasing numbers. That is a curse, not a cure. With Britain waking up to the current quagmire in its system of education, slowly but surely the fences between now and a meritocracy will slowly collapse, bringing down with them the social injustice they have in tow. But to stop the mass exodus which is being prophesied, it will take a few humble voices to stand up and have faith in the system.
It has to be said, given that I am a sixth form student with no current job (a list of the places I've been rejected from could easily max out any post word limit), I have turned a somewhat blind eye to the financial side of things. Nevertheless I met several US uni reps and was honestly tempted to jump over the pond by the sweet promises of a beautifully rounded liberal arts programme as well as a potentially generous bursary. In the end, my dilute patriotism, prospect of being that much further from homemade shakh rotli (yes that's an ethnic cultural reference - best ask your closest Indian mate, or the nearest Indian person if you don't have one - check tech support and corner shops), the mammoth costs had I not been eligible for a bursary, as well as the fact nothing is legal there until you're 21. I mean, seriously? 3 more years? That's almost your entire time at uni!
But an article originally in the Sunday times (quoted in this blog post) on a related matter really got my blood boiling. It recounts the work of the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity focussed on improvement through education, funded by philanthropist Sir Peter Lampl. A lot of what is being said is perfectly reasonable; underprivileged kids in this country stand to lose out in this country, and the attempted meritocracy which successive governments over the past 5 or so decades have attempted to create has hopelessly failed, with the disappearance of grammar schools, direct grant schools and assisted places as well as the conversion of polytechnics into unis. The slow, yet incomplete death of grammar schools could be considered as one of the finest examples of New Labour attempting to phase out elitism in the education system yet in the process ruining a system that worked, widening the gap between public and state school education. In some ways, University across the pond is fantastic. In addition to the aspects that tempted me like a sailor to a Siren's song, of course the top 'Ivy League' universities are wealthy beyond imagination, and will no doubt cater to your every needs, funding travel and living expenses too (if you qualify for the needs blind entry).
Yet the attitude towards the situation in Britain was ignorance in its prime. Lampl himself is quoted to be saying "I’ve brought you here because Britain is just a small island off the coast of Europe, while America is a a vast and exciting place, full of possibility." I don't wish to discredit the words of this respectable businessman who has had much experience of success on both shores, but this statement, echoed by the kids being taken around in this article, describes an outdated attitude assumed by many immigrants flocking to the United States of America in the early 20th Century - in pursuit of The American Dream. Anybody who believes such a concept still exists needs to pinch themselves, or alternatively watch George Carlin. Yes, possibility is there, but so is corporate greed, corruption and uneven welfare distribution - which could be very problematic to the dreamers in the article, hoping to go into business after 'golden college years'. Not every US based company, no matter how much venture-capital investment is poured into it, will turn out to be a Google. Delusion is not the answer.
So please. To everybody considering uni in the next couple of years. Give this small island another chance. After all, it is at the doorstep of Europe and the EU, an entity with financial problems but a growing industrial might nevertheless. I'm not hoping to crush hopes and dreams with my inherent pessimism, no, university education in the United States has some very attractive qualities; but one must be mindful of the presence of overseas quotas, and various incompatibilities involving some courses. Additionally, those hell-bent on exactly what they want to do at uni may find the liberal arts curriculum unfocussed. The Sutton trust has done wonders in helping talented youngsters achieve places at Russell group universities (including Oxbridge) and providing them with the ways means to visit the places where they might like to study - and continue doing so, instead of actively encouraging kids to go abroad in increasing numbers. That is a curse, not a cure. With Britain waking up to the current quagmire in its system of education, slowly but surely the fences between now and a meritocracy will slowly collapse, bringing down with them the social injustice they have in tow. But to stop the mass exodus which is being prophesied, it will take a few humble voices to stand up and have faith in the system.
