Education, Education, Education: Debt, Debt, Debt

Student Debt Crisis: A National Disgrace

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – student debt. It’s not just a problem; it’s a national disgrace. Almost 1.8 million people in the UK owe £50,000 or more in student loans. Over 61,000 souls are saddled with debts exceeding £100,000. And for 50 unfortunate individuals, the debt mountain towers above £200,000.

Currently, £20 billion per year is loaned to around 1.5 million higher education students in England. The value of outstanding loans at the end of March 2024 reached £236 billion.

This isn’t education; it’s indentured servitude.

While the powers that be claim the average debt is “only” £48,470, they conveniently ignore the rapid interest accumulation that turns these loans into financial black holes. It’s a system designed to keep our brightest minds shackled to debt for decades.

The government’s solution? “Don’t worry, you’ll only pay 9% of what you earn above £27,295.” How generous of them to leave penalising our brightest while they feast on their future earnings and of course, the vast majority of them had the luxury of a free education before they decided to kick the ladder away.

And let’s not forget the overseas borrowers – 70,000 of them in arrears. But hey, out of sight, out of mind, right?

Simon P Hannah, Tweeting as Reclaiming The Future stated: In 2021 I owed £61,586 on all my student loans. I am pleased to announce that 3 years later in 2024 I have managed to get that number down to… £61,757. Yes, after paying £300 out of my salary every month I now owe the Student Loans Company Repayment £200 more than I did 3 years ago.

In 2021 I owed £61,586 on all my student loans. I am pleased to announce that 3 years later in 2024 I have managed to get that number down to…

£61,757.

Yes, after paying £300 out of my salary every month I now owe the @SLC_Repayment £200 more than I did 3 years ago.

— Reclaiming The Future (@Simon_P_Hannah) August 19, 2024

My £60k of student debt is making it harder to buy a house – I feel lied to says Eleanor Peake: Two years ago, Eleanor Peake’s student debt was £55,683.94. Today it’s £60,994.92 and it’s still rising with an interest rate of nearly 8 per cent.

Every month, £124 is taken out of my salary to pay off a debt pile that only gets bigger and bigger. Even though I am paying up, the interest rate on this loan is so high (currently 7.9 per cent) the interest added far outstrips what I am contributing: in the past three months, since April, I have paid £369 but £761 has been accrued in interest.

It’s clear that even those paying back their student debts are struggling nethermind the ones that aren’t paying yet.

It’s a failed system, it’s failed in the US the model it’s taken from and it’s failed here… There are alternatives.

Tried and Tested Models

Meanwhile, in Germany – you know, that country with one of Europe’s strongest economies – university state education is free. Yes, FREE.

That’s right, the country’s university state education system is, remarkably, free. Students pay a nominal semester fee of around £340 to cover administrative costs and public transport. This approach stands in stark contrast to the UK’s profit-driven model of higher education.

It’s time to confront the reality: our current student finance system is broken. It’s not creating opportunities; it’s crushing them. By saddling young people with exorbitant debt, we’re hindering their ability to start families, buy homes, and fully participate in society.

Following Germany’s lead, the UK should also explore the potential of a more comprehensive vocational training model. Such a system would provide students with practical skills and experience, making them more attractive to employers and reducing the reliance on university degrees for all.

By adopting a more equitable and accessible approach to education, the UK can create a brighter future for its young people and strengthen its economy. It’s time to invest in our youth, not burden them with debt.

Germany’s Model of Vocational Training: A Potential Benchmark for the UK

Germany’s vocational training system, known as Ausbildung, stands as a pillar of its educational landscape, with two-thirds of German school leavers choosing this path. Unlike the traditional view of vocational education as a route to blue-collar jobs, Germany’s system encompasses training across a broad spectrum of professions, providing skilled workers for all sectors of the economy. The success of this system lies in its dual approach, combining practical, on-the-job training with classroom-based education.

In-company vocational training, or dual vocational training, is the most popular model, accounting for about 70% of all vocational training in Germany. This program splits a student’s time between a vocational school and a participating company, ensuring that trainees gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This hands-on training not only equips students with job-ready skills but also offers them a wage during their training period, making it an attractive option for many.

There are currently around 330 occupations requiring formal training in Germany. Employer organisations and trade unions are the drivers when it comes to updating and creating new training regulations and occupational profiles or modernising further training regulations. And there’s no age limit…

Key features of the German vocational training system include:

Government support: The German government provides significant support for vocational training, including funding for training programs and apprenticeships.

Dual training: This involves a combination of practical training in a company and theoretical instruction at a vocational school.

Wide range of occupations: The German system offers training for a vast array of occupations, from skilled trades to technical professions.

High employment rates: Graduates of vocational training programs have high employment rates, thanks to the practical skills and experience they acquire.

As the UK grapples with skills shortages and seeks to improve employability, it would be wise to look to Germany’s successful vocational training system as a model. By strengthening partnerships between industry and education, providing more opportunities for hands-on training, and offering competitive wages to trainees, the UK could create a more robust and effective system.

A German-style approach could significantly enhance the UK’s workforce, improve social mobility, and bolster its competitiveness in the global economy. Instead of clinging to outdated and ineffective methods, it’s time to learn from proven models. Germany has demonstrated that investing in education, particularly vocational training, is not only feasible but also highly profitable for society in the long run.

Rather than treating students as revenue streams, the UK should prioritise investing in its future. By expanding vocational colleges and offering day release programs for employees, the country can cultivate a skilled workforce across various sectors, from trades to services. This approach would be far more effective than relying on debt-fueled economic growth and importing foreign labour to fill skill gaps.

The time has come for a radical shift. Let’s abandon the failed policies of the past and embrace a future-focused approach. By investing in education and training, the UK can create a more prosperous and equitable society for generations to come.

It’s time to end this debt slavery. It’s time for ‘Free education’. It’s time we gave our youth and workers a real chance at a future, not just a bill for trying to build one.

It’s time to invest in Britain.