Coventry chief attacks fee plans

A university vice-chancellor has condemned the government's proposals for variable or "top-up" tuition fees.

At an awards ceremony at Coventry University on Monday, Dr Michael Goldstein will describe the expansion of higher education in recent years as "a huge success story".

Everyone benefits from a well-informed and highly educated society, he says.

So the financial burden of higher education must not fall unduly on students and their families.

This is not the way to a just and inclusive society Dr Michael Goldstein

"The system of variable fees, which this government is pursuing, will result in a two-tier system of higher education."

The ability of students to pay - or their willingness to accumulate "enormous debts" - would determine the quality of their educational experience.

"This is not the way to a just and inclusive society.

'Elitist'

"It is the imposition of a commercial market culture, inappropriate for a common good, in which the narrow interests of a relatively well-endowed minority over-ride those of the majority - indeed, of the country as a whole."

He also criticised "the offensive and ill-informed utterances" from people who "wish to turn back the clock and return to a narrow, elitist higher education sector".

Legislation paving the way for variable fees is expected to be introduced later this year.

Dr Goldstein is due to retire next summer, before the government's planned changes to higher education funding take effect.

His successor will be Professor Madeleine Atkins, currently pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Newcastle - who will be the first woman chief in Coventry's 160-year history.