21st CENTURY PARTNERSHIP IS WAY FORWARD FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS

Attn: NEWSDESKS


POLITICAL / EDUCATION CORRESPONDENTS



SNP ONLY PARTY THAT BELIEVES IN FREE EDUCATION



The Vice-Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee - SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson - has commented on reports that a coalition of students have formed English Welsh and Northern Irish Students For Independence to campaign for Scottish independence as it would result in a level playing field for all students across the UK in terms of support for student tuition.


Currently EU directives requires that the same opportunity is afforded to students from other EU member states as those in the member state they move to study in. However, these directives do not require that the same support is given to students from within the same EU member state resulting in students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland facing tuition fees.



Commenting Mr Gibson said:



“This is a perfectly sensible and eminently logical solution being promoted by these students. It shows how a 21st century partnership between the nations of the present United Kingdom is the way forward for students across these islands.

“This issue is a result of Labour’s introduction of tuition fees which has now been followed by the LibDems reneging on their firm pledge to oppose fees and voting with the Tories to almost triple them south of the border.



“Under the present arrangements the tripling of fees will have serious consequences for higher education north and south of the border.


"The SNP is the only party that believes in free education; and only the SNP is left as the party for students in Scotland offering them the opportunity to be part of something better."


ENDS