Incredible to Americans, the Isle of Man still pays for its students to attend university (college). More amazing yet to us is that students are arguing that $4000, just less than half of what a UK college charges for a full year of education, is too great an amount to contribute to their own education. As anyone familiar with the American system will attest — $4000 is a great bargain!
Isle of Man education minister Tim Crookall is to meet students who oppose the introduction of university tuition fees later.
A vote on the proposed introduction of fees has been deferred until February’s Tynwald.
Tim Crookall said: “I know they are not happy about what is going on… but I have got a job to do and this is part of that job.”
The scheme would see students pay at least £2,500 about $4000 a year from 2014.
More than 100 students protested outside Tynwald on the 16 January and former education minister Peter Karran handed over a 2,500 signature petition on their behalf.
‘Biggest hope’
Mr Crookall said he was happy to talk but the motion would still go before the court next month.
Sam Turton, 18, a pupil at St Ninian’s High School in Douglas, hopes to study politics at university.
He said: “We are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet with Mr Crookall face to face.
“Our biggest hope is that he can find a way to look at other areas where savings can be made.”
Mr Crookall said the students had “acted impeccably” and they had done a “great job”.
If the scheme is passed in February, it would be the first time Manx students have had to pay tuition fees.
