IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 May 2003
Commenting on Conservative plans to abolishuniversity fees, Doug McAvoy, NUT General Secretary, said:
This Union has always believed ineducation free at the point of delivery providing equality of opportunity forall the nations young people. Their chances in life should never beconstrained by fear of debt or being a burden on others.
The Conservatives proposal to scrapuniversity fees is a welcome move in the right direction. If this is a guide tothe future development of the partys policies for education, we look forwardto their next announcement.
There can be little doubt that fees andthe fear of debt act as a disincentive to continuing their education for young peoplefrom less well off homes. Removing this barrier to educational advance would bea major step forward.
EN D PR.37/03