The numbers of students applying to college are at the lowest since 1999, a report has shown.
An Associations of Colleges (AoC) survey revealed that almost half of England’s further education colleges have seen a decline in student numbers, with many blaming the cost of transport and a lack of financial support, The BBC reports.
“For people with very little, any extra cost is too much.” Fiona McMillan, President of the Association of Colleges and Principal of Bridgwater College stated. “While the loss of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) might not have been a complete surprise, what has been a surprise has been the lack of an adequate replacement,” she commented.
The survey revealed that 49 per cent of colleges had fewer pupil applications than last year. It also revealed that colleges were providing students with financial support using their own college budgets.
The Department for Education (DfE) challenged the survey, saying it did not demonstrate a clear decline in enrolment. They argued that they have imposed a bursary system to replace EMA cuts. The bursary, worth £180 million a year, is said to be targeted at students who need it most.
The Head of the Save EMA campaign, James Mills, said: “Ending EMA has meant that class is being brought back into the classroom. In a week when unemployment is at a 17-year high and we see child poverty is set to rise, we now have more proof that children born into poverty are going to stay in poverty. Because they will be priced out of education and priced into unemployment.”
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by Olivia Bamber
