Industrialist and Labour peer Swraj Paul on Saturday criticised the Tory-led Government's approach to higher education which, he said, was designed to benefit the rich. Those from underprivileged backgrounds would be the worst hit by its decision to raise university fee from next year and cut down university places.
“As higher education changes, and a new tuition fees policy is introduced, we must remind ourselves that the contract between the State and the public sector has been at the heart of much social and economic development in the U.K.,'' Lord Paul said speaking at the graduation ceremony of the University of Wolverhampton in his capacity as its Chancellor .
Arguing that it was the duty of the state to make sure that the new fee policy did not deter poorer students from going to university, he said: “It is disappointing that current Government higher education policy focuses on providing disproportionately more opportunity for the better off in society, but also that it is intent on removing student places from universities like Wolverhampton and our partner colleges. This means that we will be able to provide fewer opportunities for those who most deserve them.''
Lord Paul criticised what he described as the government's “piecemeal'' approach to reforms as part of its controversial deficit reduction policy.
“As we proceed with the deficit reduction policy there is clear need for all parts of the private and the public sectors to ensure that they contribute to economic change. However, there is a danger that by having a series of piecemeal changes, we can lose sight of the big picture of how the public sector can contribute to the underpinning of society and economic development. The change in higher education in which the individual becomes more financially responsible for the cost of their education is a case in point,'' he said.
The University of Wolverhampton, he said, would respond “by being flexible and creative'' and would continue to offer the best opportunities to students from all backgrounds.
“Our commitment to improving the student experience remains a key priority going forward, despite the financial challenges facing the higher education sector as a whole. Last year saw the opening of the Ambika Paul Student Union Centre and this autumn a new student union facility at Walsall [campus] will be operational,'' Lord Paul said announcing the university's expansion plans.
