Students can 'snitch' on teachers

The average debt for students in the UK is £4,500 for every year of study

Students at Manchester Metropolitan University can report their lecturers to a special hotline if they are more than 10 minutes late.

The university's students' union has set up a special text service for disgruntled students who are kept waiting for their lectures.

According to its president Nicola Lee, the initiative was triggered by a number of complaints from students.

She said: "I think students should get the education they are entitled to."

The university's deputy vice-chancellor Kevin Bonnet said he agreed lecturers had to "set an example".

He said: "It's about professionalism amongst the students and the lecturers and we have to set an example.

Ten minutes might not sound like a lot of time but it will have an impact on students' education Nicola Lee, president of Manchester Metropolitan University

"Students have a voice and it is worth remembering they are adults and that they have the right to speak up.

"I am resistant to the idea that students are consumers but their families are paying a lot of money.

"This hotline does not mean that lecturers are thinly spread."

A recent survey, by independent student debt watchdog, Push, of 2,000 students across the UK suggested that the average debt being racked up in tuition fees and living expenses was £4,500 for every year of study.

Ms Lee added: "Ten minutes might not sound like a lot of time but it will have an impact on students' education.

"I don't think its disrespectful for them to say that their lecturer is late, it will just improve relations."