Speech on Education Costs

Obviously looking back on our primary school days, it seemed easy. But not so much for our parents. We all wanted to go on every single trip the school provided and we didn't want to be left behind. So inevitably, our parents had to pay. With constant competition against our friends, it was a struggle to keep up with the latest craze. Heelies, tamagotchis and the newest DS' - our parents had to fork out so much money to keep us happy.

In school, everyone has to wear the same uniform, and schools insist that everything is compulsory, right down to the aprons. If a school polo shirt costs £8, and you buy three a year for your twelve years at primary and secondary school, that's £288 for just the polo shirts, let alone the trousers, jumpers and PE kits. If you are someone who always had school dinners as opposed to packed lunches, you'll know how expensive lunch can be. It would roughly cost £4680 for school dinners for your entire time in school. Your parents also have to pay for your stationary and books in order for you to have everything you need, and any parent can tell you that none of that is cheap when you add it all up.

But it only gets worse when you start Sixth Form College. It only gets worse when you’re stuck in between childhood and adulthood. It only gets worse when you want to be independent, but are still dependent. Everyone wants a part-time job when they leave school but how are you expected to be available the hours your inconsiderate boss wants you to be? It’s not possible. You can either earn the money and watch your grades fall like Autumn leaves or ask your parents to pay for your new car or your festivals in the summer and put the job to one side. Not to mention the travel costs of getting to college. The First bus pass costs £455 per year – that’s just under £1000 spent on travel alone.

The thousands of pounds your parents have just spent will feel like nothing when it hits University time. Do you have £9000 to spare? For one year in University, that's how much it currently costs, regardless of the course you decide to take. On average, accommodation costs £150 per week, which is £600 per month. Total up food costs of £200 a month and other necessities, you end up spending over £15,000 for each University year.

Do you think it’s fair that to succeed in life, or even just to conform to the norms and values of education, this amount of money should have to be spent? If the government wants people going to university, then they need to be prepared to be realistic with these fees. We can’t go on paying £9000 a year, racking up debts over £27,000.We want change and we want it now!

In the future we want everybody to have the opportunity to go to university. Nobody should miss out. Nobody will, if you help to support us by signing our e-petition at epetition.direct.gov.uk.