Letter: We must fight against a graduate tax

Would they push as hard if such a fee or graduate tax was retrospective, and they had to stump up themselves? This call from Universities Scotland can be viewed as yet another public sector body calling for exemption from the strictures of the recession, reasoning their function is far too important to hold back.

If the Scottish Parliament is tempted by this route, fairness (a word much in favour at present) demands that such a claw-back is retrospectively applied - perhaps to all persons who gained their degrees at Scottish universities, currently resident in Scotland, and earning.

It would lessen the immediate burden of the students and graduates about to be hit by it - all pay, or none pay!

Additionally, before the universities are allowed to benefit from such an income, enforceable mechanisms must be put into place to ensure they don't again spend the money on flash new sitting-rooms and offices for principals or administrators, nor splash out on lavish salaries and bonuses when the people who are expected to pay are having to tighten their belts to do so.

David Fiddimore

Calton Road

Edinburgh

At a time when graduates are struggling more than ever to walk into a job, I cannot understand why there is such a focus on the graduation tax.

I am a student at the University of Glasgow, and although I will have already graduated by the time the fees proposed are put in place, I still feel it my place to fight the student's corner.

The variable fee system which has been proposed, whereby there are set fees for individual courses, ensures that higher education is less accessible to the less fortunate.

There are already inequalities within universities, so why heighten this? From my experience in the arts and social sciences faculties, there seems to be a distinct lack of funding in comparison with other faculties, such as sciences and engineering.

This is evident firstly in the class sizes. Science, medicine and engineering classes are noticeably smaller, showing an inconsistency with contact time with lecturers and tutors.

Secondly, the lack of funding is noticeable in regards to resources and materials available.

Biology students have the opportunity to dissect animals, but media students don't have access to digital camcorders, or even newspapers.

Universities Scotland claims those who "benefit the most" from their education should pay the most back. Does that mean that as an arts and social sciences student, I am not benefiting as much from my education as, say, a biologist or lawyer?

I am offended at the way in which students are being treated.If there are set fees for individual courses, this will only encourage certain students to believe that their course is more legitimate than the next. All forms of education are legitimate.

Emma Welsh

University of Glasgow

Glasgow

Surely the advocation for university fees can only be described as being a result of the failed capitalist system that has seen respective governments allow free-market banking and globalisation to advance the surrender of the Scottish culture of free education.

The Scottish Government should not be held to ransom by foreign business and allow itself to become another colony in relation to its academic and business development.

The time is right for the people in Scotland to stand up for what they value the most: free education, free health care, workers free from exploitation.

No matter who wins next May's elections these are the values the people should expect from a Scottish Government.

Remember, this is not a makeshift republic but a nation with its own culture and national identity and our educational standards were once the most desirable in a world prior to modernity, globalisation and rampant capitalism that seeks to refuse the working class people of Scotland a right to free education.

Michael Donaldson

West avenue

Plains, Airdrie