Name Address Date Dear I am writing to express my disagreement with the proposed changes currently being considered by Tynwald

d to the Students Awards Scheme. In short, it deters able and qualified students from seeking further education after GCSEs and A levels, and also erodes the Isle of Man Governments own motto Freedom to Flourish. The proposed changes are socially, morally and most importantly financially unfair. It was not so long ago that MHKs were knocking on doors, looking for votes, stating their top two priorities were health and education. When asked should the government continue to pay full tuition fees for university students? 20 said yes, which is why it shocks me to see such a proposal that is likely to be passed. The initial cost of 2,500 may not seem so high. Yet, when other factors, such as maintenance, rent and travel to and from the island are taken into account, it cannot be said that the additional charge isnt unreasonable. Despite having limited loan support for the fees ,which is to be means tested at a high interest rate, there is no other source for this sort of money , other than long term saving, which due to the sudden nature of this proposition, cannot have happened. While I understand that financial cuts have to be made across the board, after having reduced its expenditure by 11 million pounds since 2009, further cuts to the islands education system will not only be detrimental to the students, but in turn the economy of the Island. Clearly the knock on effects of this action has not been considered. In short term, it is inevitable that there will be a rise in youth unemployment. How can it be argued fair, or beneficial to the economy, for the money to be spent on their unemployment benefits, but not for their further education? The money is saved in one department, and lost to the same people in another. Consequently, the long term effects of this bill will be a reduction in the number of graduates on the island, and therefore a reduction in Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Teachers, and many more essential roles which our society is built on. Economically, the decision does not make sense. At this critical point, strategies for growth are needed, not for problems to be shifted from one department to another. The sudden nature of these proposals cause a major issue for families of those students who have all ready applied for university course, those who have all ready began A level and college courses, and those who have chosen their GCSEs, in correspondence to the current Student Awards system. Many students in year 13 who have focused their full attention on applying to universities, and who may have all ready received offers, will have to rethink their options following their school career, as due to grant changes, university is ruled out. By now, it is too late for them to apply for an engineering apprenticeship at the college, or change their A levels to those of a mathematical or businesslike nature, which in terms of getting a job, are fundamental for Isle of Man residents. The same applies for those students in year 12. As for GCSE students, it is easily argued that had these changes been known, different subject options would have been taken.

If these changes go ahead, we could also see a rise in the number of middle class families with two or more children relocating to England, where there is the advantage of full loans for fees AND maintenance, which is not means tested or divisive, and are paid back in stages after graduating at low interest rates. This, again, will be damaging to the Isle of Man economy. Before voting for the cutting of fundamental front line services, has it been considered: Additional administrators will need to be hired to process the new student loan scheme? Have sufficient savings been made in the Department of Educations operation? (e.g. education advisers and middle management positions) Is it possible to substitute some wasted funds from other departments into this vitally important one? Changing the funding on a sliding scale (e.g. better results, better funding) As an Isle of Man student, it makes me upset to think that many MHKs have forgotten their pledge to further education in their manifestos , made only this time last year, and I sincerely hope that this is not you. I would like to take the time to remind you that despite still being in secondary education, I am still part of the Isle of Man electorate, and it pains me think that in the next few years I could be getting funded not to be in education, employment or any sort of training, yet not funded to equip myself with essential qualifications so that I can ultimately put back into the Isle of Mans economy. Education is not a luxury, it is a right. I firmly believe that education should be received on grounds of merit rather than wealth, and sincerely hope that you do also. Before voting yes, please ask yourself Why have we singled out the people who are going to shape the future of our nation?, and consider ENTIRELY the financial, social, and moral drawbacks of this step. Sincerely,