Have Your Say on a possible replacement for EMA

Lokolo

Samuraiman89 wrote: »

EMA being abused by over 90% of cases! Yeah right.

I was only able to make ends meet by working two jobs and receiving EMA during my two years at college. Throughout all this I never divulged any information regarding my financial situation to my friends, let alone my tutors, therefore your perspective as a tutor is irrelevant in my opinion. No offence intended.

I would agree with the 90%.

I also had 2 partime jobs and recieved EMA and spent it on alcohol and car insurance, both luxuries.

Have you thought that you could just be part of the 10%?

poet123

Samuraiman89 wrote: »

EMA being abused by over 90% of cases! Yeah right.

I was only able to make ends meet by working two jobs and receiving EMA during my two years at college. Throughout all this I never divulged any information regarding my financial situation to my friends, let alone my tutors, therefore your perspective as a tutor is irrelevant in my opinion. No offence intended.

Probably not irrelevant though to those students (and their parents) who cannot concentrate because the class is filled with those who are there solely for the money and have no interest in learning.;)

Samuraiman89

We were fortunate to have been able to get jobs, but I sincerely think we were in the minority. I remember the days of walking up and down the high streets handing out my CV with my friends, and being the only one to find a job.

In my experiences those who could get by without EMA more often than not chose not to claim it, because of the inconveniences involved with the claiming process. And whilst I do remember 'some' recipients of EMA who could get by quite comfortably without it, I do not think it's fair to penalise the rest of the students who genuinely need it.

And as a fellow former student who had to work two jobs, don't you think we deserved some luxuries without having to justify ourselves

Samuraiman89

poet123 wrote: »

Probably not irrelevant though to those students (and their parents) who cannot concentrate because the class is filled with those who are there solely for the money and have no interest in learning.;)

I must have gone to college on another planet! I remember being utterly embarrassed claiming EMA, a sentiment shared by most students in my year, as evidenced by the sea of red faces in the 'EMA register queue' at my college. I also remember having abuse hurled at us simply because, it was assumed we were poor and second class citizens.

And I personally do not recall meeting anyone who found £30 incentive enough to attend every class at college and complete their coursework/ exams to a respectable standard (another criteria for EMA) AND tolerate the stigma of 'being poor'.

bagby

My daughter didnt qualify for it when she went about five years ago (our area was a pilot area) I - do think that may be students should get free or very cheap travel - oaps in my area get free travel may be students should be afforded the same benefit. I actually think that school children's bus travel should be subsidised - my son gets the bus home each day and it costs £1.40 - and dont think that is subsidised much. I also pay £2.30 lunch each day which all adds up.

Chazza2

Some kids who don't have people who care about them and people to rely on use EMA to pay their rent, food or bills. These kids often live independently for one reason or another often not there fault. They then try to get an education or job and everything seems like its against them. EMA offered them a lifeline to help them make something of themselves. Will anyone stand up and help these kids they are the future generation too regardless of their background. Bring in a training allowance based on attendance and qualifications and help these kids get a start they deserve.

Tripleeagle

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As the scheme was intended to encourage more young people to remain in education then, if it's done so, it is undoubtedly a success.

Absolutely. I completely agree that thanks to (or because of) EMA, more students stay on to study in Further Education.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If there was the possibility of young people getting some kind of "real work" for these years then the scheme would not have been needed.

With youth unemployment currently at 20.5%, it's definitely not good news. I'd rather see young people staying in education - even if it's hardly work - just so that they remember what a routine is like, instead of dropping into the JSA system.

However, with the current government's increased investment in Apprenticeships, I am hoping that young people will find work experience and vocational training to be a more appropriate form of education rather than being paid to attend A-Level or BTEC courses which are of no use to them.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You might like to see that economists consider the scheme to have been cost effective.

I'm going to assume that the economists were not capable of coming up with figures for the classroom disruption caused by pupils who stay at school?

Although I appreciate that the figures provided by the IFSseem sound, the logic behind the system is flawed. If, in the end, society benefits more from the presence of EMA, then I support it; however, using the logic behind the system, I am slightly sceptic at the idea that EMA provides greater revenue for the government. After all, I cannot imagine that the people who are motivated to stay in education just because of the money will be earning higher salaries later on.

Jamstar294

I am currently in my last yr of sixth form and lucky enough to have EMA this year before it is abolished. I spend my EMA on lunch and i feel that the extra books and tuition classes i have spent it on has helped me gain higher grades which will hopefully get me into top universities and give me a better future. For those who are against EMA, i do know people who laze around just to get EMA and waste their education and time. But i also know other students who depend on EMA, mostly because of travel costs. However,the system, though doesn't work as it's supposed to. It gives the wrong incentives and doesn't directly invest or support the right ppl in F.E as need be. I do feel sorry for future students who will face an increase in uni tuition fees, public cuts (plz leave the libaries alone) and a harsher economy where youth unemployment is on the rise. To help them der needs to be a better system: better means tested, cheaper books for students (tokens/vouchers), discounted travel and better subsidised educational trips and school equipment (e.s.p. for students who do practical subjects e.t.c.) although some may say this process is costly, the money will be better spent and social mobility in the UK is terrible!

oldnewhand

EMA enabled my grandson to stay on in 6th form and gain a place at uni. He was unable to get a proper part time job despite putting every effort in, but still did a paper round for peanuts. I really don't think some people have a real grasp of the cost of staying in education, his parents funded as much as they were able, he didn't squander money on designer gear or socialising but needed that money for fares and materials for his course work. EMA wasn't fair, some students I know had to pay it to their parents whilst others used it as pocket money. Maybe if education and its associated costs like materials and transport were provided free of charge for those that make proper use of it by attending lectures and completing assignments on time no one would be put off completing their education to their highest level and no one would be able to abuse the system either.

Lizk

When my daughter first started sixth form college last year, we were asked for a total of some £140 in the first two weeks. This was partly a college "fund", partly "insurance", a "kit" for one of her courses, special calculator for her A Level maths etc. Kids in receipt of EMA didn't pay for these things. Being on a low income, we struggled to find the cash which came on top of the £190 for the termly "subsidised" travel card which we subsequently discovered was more than the weekly bus pass cost. At the time we didn't qualify for EMA but when her father died a few months ago, we qualified and claimed. The money is absolutely vital in going towards the cost of bus travel to the college (it is the only sixth form college in the region and we're well outside the 3 mile walking distance limit) and without it, I can image times when she wouldn't be able to attend. She certainly wouldn't be able to take advantage of some of the "enrichment" activities (theatre trips, conferences etc.) that are on offer.
For those who don't really need it, shame on you for claiming it. Don't knock those of us who are struggling.