Students Receiving Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance was introduced by Labour in 2004, to encourage particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to remain within education and hopefully to possibly aspire to Higher Education, once they achieve the age of sixteen. However Michael Gove the Secretary of Education is axing it, as mentioned in the spending review last month, this despite promises from both David Cameron and Nick Clegg before the election, that the payments would be safe.

The money isn’t for and hasn’t been used for ‘Fun times’. The £30 a week is being used for bus fares, books and stationary. With payments being stopped next year, many of those who are from similar home backgrounds, will find it harder to make ends meet and may well choose not continue their education, which iwould be a real shame.
I think both David Cameron and Nick Clegg owe the young people of Brandwood an explanation as to why they feel it necessary to pull the plug on this allowance, probably their aspirations and that of others in similar circumstances.
Personally I want to see all young people staying on at school, going to college, obtaining an apprenticeship or doing some form of training while at work, better still having an opportunity of getting in to Higher Education.
A Labour Government didn’t just introduce this EMA for no apparent reason and axing it will mean tens of thousands of students failing to reach their full potential, leaving school at sixteen and end up in the endless cycle of wanting work, but only getting it for short terms only.
For those who are able and want to get in to Higher Education, doing a degree at University, there is the added increase of tuition fees of £9,000 per year all to be paid back, with interest, when they get a paid job on the successful completion of their course.