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Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) should be abolished !
In my view, EMA was a bad mistake by the government to introduce.
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
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Yep I partly agree with that. I think the genuine students (A level) from poor background do need the money (I got EMA or somthing very similar) however at my college there was loads of people GNVQ foundation courses which to put quite politly were the dimmist people I have ever met in my life. Before EMA there was no demand for the course, when EMA was introduced they had 30 students on GNVQ foundation!
It was quite funny though as they all looked up to our group (the AVCE one). My tutor was like see these people here they are going to university when they leave. They were quite impressed by it!
Their quite sweet really just a bit dumb and simple.
It was quite funny though as they all looked up to our group (the AVCE one). My tutor was like see these people here they are going to university when they leave. They were quite impressed by it!
Their quite sweet really just a bit dumb and simple.
amazingtrade
Yep I partly agree with that. I think the genuine students (A level) from poor background do need the money (I got EMA or somthing very similar) however at my college there was loads of people GNVQ foundation courses which to put quite politly were the dimmist people I have ever met in my life. Before EMA there was no demand for the course, when EMA was introduced they had 30 students on GNVQ foundation!
It was quite funny though as they all looked up to our group (the AVCE one). My tutor was like see these people here they are going to university when they leave. They were quite impressed by it!
Their quite sweet really just a bit dumb and simple.
It was quite funny though as they all looked up to our group (the AVCE one). My tutor was like see these people here they are going to university when they leave. They were quite impressed by it!
Their quite sweet really just a bit dumb and simple.
Call me stupid but are you telling me they are giving people money to go to 6th Form? I thought they were only thinking about it, I've never heard of them actually doing it. Is it in specific areas of the country?
xxxxxx
Yeah, people in my sixth form (in northumberland) get EMA....although they find it more of a hinderence cos our local lea never give them them the money when its expected.
I partially agree that it encourages dumbasses to stay on just for the money, but then again its a big help for people like my bf who comes from a low income family and is expected to pay for loads of sh*t that my school demands from him....
I partially agree that it encourages dumbasses to stay on just for the money, but then again its a big help for people like my bf who comes from a low income family and is expected to pay for loads of sh*t that my school demands from him....
In theory it is a good idea as it stops people needing to work a lot whilst at college, those from the poorest backgrounds who otherwise would have to work weeknights perhaps.
Also it means those whose parents aren't earning a lot can save themselves for when they do go on to university.
For these important reasons, the EMA should not be abolished, nor do I agree that a significant number of students go to college for the sole or even main reason of getting the money, (as they would get more from working 2 days a week or from the dole...and remember to claim the money you have to attend each and every one of your classes)...at least this is certainly not the case in my college, where many I know claim it. (lol, i am judged to be too middle class)
However, i agree that the system is open to abuse. I know many who get it, though in most cases not the full £30, who seem to be just as well off as I am, better even as its often the "trendies" (for want of a better term) who seem to get it, buying the latest biggy tupac album, sports clothes or nike trainers.
I would say that it should be changed a bit to ensure it isnt abused (honestly, at least half the people i know on it wouldnt miss it if it went, except less new clothes) but dont know how you can ensure this...it certainly does soom good too though.
Also it means those whose parents aren't earning a lot can save themselves for when they do go on to university.
For these important reasons, the EMA should not be abolished, nor do I agree that a significant number of students go to college for the sole or even main reason of getting the money, (as they would get more from working 2 days a week or from the dole...and remember to claim the money you have to attend each and every one of your classes)...at least this is certainly not the case in my college, where many I know claim it. (lol, i am judged to be too middle class)
However, i agree that the system is open to abuse. I know many who get it, though in most cases not the full £30, who seem to be just as well off as I am, better even as its often the "trendies" (for want of a better term) who seem to get it, buying the latest biggy tupac album, sports clothes or nike trainers.
I would say that it should be changed a bit to ensure it isnt abused (honestly, at least half the people i know on it wouldnt miss it if it went, except less new clothes) but dont know how you can ensure this...it certainly does soom good too though.
claire1985
Call me stupid but are you telling me they are giving people money to go to 6th Form? I thought they were only thinking about it, I've never heard of them actually doing it. Is it in specific areas of the country?
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
Yes, it's only in certain pilot areas, but it's going national next year. Where I live (Shropshire) students don't get it, but at the college where I work, in Worcestershire, they do.
I don't know about it - it's a decent idea, but I think they've gone about it wrong somehow.
I see your point, but surely the EMA is more than just an incentive to stay on at school - anyone not interested in carrying on their education and who simply wanted the money could have got a job at 16 that would have paid more than £30 a week. I get the EMA myself, and without it I might not have been able to save up for a trip abroad this year which will be really beneficial for my degree course.
eddiedaboss
In my view, EMA was a bad mistake by the government to introduce.
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
The system of EMA has been running at my college now for over a year and, while I don't get a penny and have to work 12 hours or so a week in a pub for my money I think EMA is an excellent idea. It encourages students whose parents couldnt afford to keep them to study further if they didnt get anything to attend college or sixth form.
I don't know where you're getting your "facts" from but it simply sounds to me like you're bitter than poorer kids are gonna be attendin further education more to better their prospects. There is definitly not
"a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs."
There is nobody like this at my college and as I say the EMA system has been running for a while now. I don't know how you claim to know that these people exist.
"The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter." What about the kids who wouldnt be going to college and wouldnt be going to do a degree if it wasn't for the EMA system (believe me I know many personally who have applied for uni this year and would never have been able to go to college if it wasn't for EMA). With degrees they'll earn a good salary and pay more tax, spend more and so stimulate the economy more. It's a good deal, in the long run that £30 a week to them will be well worth it. Besides it's givin many kids a chance to have a nice comfortable life, a chance they wouldnt have had without EMA, they'd probably just be stuck on the mimimum wage without decent qualifications.
"The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc." EMA at college is effective, if those that qualify for EMA skip a lesson without a valid reason then their EMA for that week is stopped, if they pass their exams they get a bonus, if they have full attendance for a term they get a bonus as well.
I appreciate why you can be against it, I was at first, seeing lots of people I know get £30 a week for doing exactly the same thing I was (basically going to college) while I got nothing and had to get a job, but the more I think about it the more I see that it's a valuable system.
I get EMA of £18 per week.
IMO it does help me, most important to me is it means I don't have to get a part time job. Having tried to do this in the past I realised how badly it effected my ability to perform well academically.
It also makes me think twice about skipping lessons, because if I skip one lesson (like I did this week), that's £18 out of the window, and it reminds me what I could do with all of that money, so I don't. The only problem is, I often skip lessons for good reasons (today I had to make last minute ammendments to coursework and the teacher wasn't allowed to authorise my absence, so I lost my money just for that).
I agree it needs to be made stricter, as it happens my college is the biggest giver of EMA in the country, and EVERYBODY gets the £50 bonus, people who have clearly not worked hard in the said term. It also doesn't punish people for bad punctuality, my punctuality is awful and I need a better incentive really.
The EMA has encouraged alot of people to do FE courses who wouldn't have before, but I wouldn't say they're dossers, just because they're doing it mainly for the money, by being in every lesson, and having incentives to work hard and do well, they will make progress, surely.
IMO it does help me, most important to me is it means I don't have to get a part time job. Having tried to do this in the past I realised how badly it effected my ability to perform well academically.
It also makes me think twice about skipping lessons, because if I skip one lesson (like I did this week), that's £18 out of the window, and it reminds me what I could do with all of that money, so I don't. The only problem is, I often skip lessons for good reasons (today I had to make last minute ammendments to coursework and the teacher wasn't allowed to authorise my absence, so I lost my money just for that).
I agree it needs to be made stricter, as it happens my college is the biggest giver of EMA in the country, and EVERYBODY gets the £50 bonus, people who have clearly not worked hard in the said term. It also doesn't punish people for bad punctuality, my punctuality is awful and I need a better incentive really.
The EMA has encouraged alot of people to do FE courses who wouldn't have before, but I wouldn't say they're dossers, just because they're doing it mainly for the money, by being in every lesson, and having incentives to work hard and do well, they will make progress, surely.
"a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs."
There is nobody like this at my college and as I say the EMA system has been running for a while now. I don't know how you claim to know that these people exist.
Yes well I do know that these people exist because there are many of them at my college. And I dont know what college you are at but this is a very common issue, and you seem very out of touch. I go to an inner city school as opposed to your private college I expect.
There is nobody like this at my college and as I say the EMA system has been running for a while now. I don't know how you claim to know that these people exist.
Yes well I do know that these people exist because there are many of them at my college. And I dont know what college you are at but this is a very common issue, and you seem very out of touch. I go to an inner city school as opposed to your private college I expect.
eddiedaboss
"a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs."
There is nobody like this at my college and as I say the EMA system has been running for a while now. I don't know how you claim to know that these people exist.
Yes well I do know that these people exist because there are many of them at my college. And I dont know what college you are at but this is a very common issue, and you seem very out of touch. I go to an inner city school as opposed to your private college I expect.
There is nobody like this at my college and as I say the EMA system has been running for a while now. I don't know how you claim to know that these people exist.
Yes well I do know that these people exist because there are many of them at my college. And I dont know what college you are at but this is a very common issue, and you seem very out of touch. I go to an inner city school as opposed to your private college I expect.
EMA at a private college? Eeeerrrr!
EMA is a good scheme and a bad scheme, similar to many government initiatives...
In my area (horrible place in Essex) nearly every student in 6th form gets EMA, yes there are people there just for the money HOWEVER, it depends on the school what their policy is...
Firstly it is up to £30, depending on parental income, some get £4.00. Furthermore, it is controlled by attendence and school work: if you do not turn up to a certain pecentage of lessons you do not get the money and the same for the school work.
The key element to this is that even though 'dossers' and 'timewasters' do get money, up until January they stay in school since the school gets £1200 per pupil staying on. Therefore, the school keeps the 'dossers' in school till mid-Jan, release them and have a nice £1200 pound in the schools pocket.
EMA is good for pupils who want to do well and at time motivates those 'dossers' we all criticise. Cynically, the school only uses these pupils to get money, and then 'slings them out'...
Now what do you think?? lol..
In my area (horrible place in Essex) nearly every student in 6th form gets EMA, yes there are people there just for the money HOWEVER, it depends on the school what their policy is...
Firstly it is up to £30, depending on parental income, some get £4.00. Furthermore, it is controlled by attendence and school work: if you do not turn up to a certain pecentage of lessons you do not get the money and the same for the school work.
The key element to this is that even though 'dossers' and 'timewasters' do get money, up until January they stay in school since the school gets £1200 per pupil staying on. Therefore, the school keeps the 'dossers' in school till mid-Jan, release them and have a nice £1200 pound in the schools pocket.
EMA is good for pupils who want to do well and at time motivates those 'dossers' we all criticise. Cynically, the school only uses these pupils to get money, and then 'slings them out'...
Now what do you think?? lol..
fishpaste
A scholarship of some sorts, I presume?
Not quite, the school pays for my fees from a bursary fund (since the Labour government abolished assisted places...grrr)
Anyway, I think the EMA scheme is helping to promote equal chances within post-16 education between those who are better off and those who aren't, and anything which does that can only be a good thing.
eddiedaboss
In my view, EMA was a bad mistake by the government to introduce.
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
They said it would encourage students from poor backgrounds to pursue their academic studies without the problems of finance.
However, I see EMA as being an easy and expensive way for the government to show they are education, education, education no matter from what background you are from.
But this allowance has created a new generation of 'post 16 school dossers' who have only stayed on for their weekly allowance of up to 30 pounds. These people have no intention of pursuing an academic career and will only end up quitting education after 1/2 years (of getting 30 quid a week for dossing around in school) in search of apprenticeships and other full time jobs.
This has also lowered the standard of many colleges and sixth forms as they would have to put up with un-interested 'students' who will just have a fun filled time at sixth form and will leave with next to nothing qualification wise or very poor grades.
And I know all too well about this as I witness this at first hand in my college, where many people admit to staying on for the cash - the same people who mess around, holding us all back.
The EMA is not as effective as it should be - allowance should be payed to students who are actually performing well and have academic aims of going to uni etc.
The country would benefit as a whole if EMA was abolished or became stricter. Many post GCSE children will enter the labour market, becomming tradesmen etc etc. Therefore developing skills whilst earning money and therefore contributing to the economy.
EMA is becomming very popular - 12 % of FE students are on it.
And only a small minority of them deserve it in a way that EMA was introduced for.
I am not on EMA myself but I am entitled to the minimum allowance though my part time job is more than enough for me.
At the end of the day it is doing more harm than good. Our colleges and uni's are dropping standards.
EMA - WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY !
yeah i agree. Ppl at my college spend the money on drink evry night and actually have the guts to admit it! it annoys me coz i dont get it (yes i am jelous lol) and my friends who do get it say :
'there only getting it because their parents r divorced but 1 of their parents is quite wealthy'
i hear this sayin a lot lol because most want the money but not the 'poor' reputation that goes wiv it.
also students parents who are working, are paying taxes (im talking overall) of which go to students who spend the money on drinks and drugs.
soz lol but it aint fair
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