A more effective protest against tuition fees

On Wednesday I popped along to the student demonstration about the rise in tuition fees and the cuts to further education. I have never been to a demo before because I feel that marching along a road holding a banner saying “I shaved my balls for this” has no effect on the PM nor other MPs. What I think should happen is that if the tuition fees are raised then prospectus students should no longer apply for university. If a large proportion of the university places are not filled, perhaps a third of all university places, then the university system would be crippled and the government would be forced to reconsider. If prospectus students are serious about opposing the rise in tuition fees, and I believe that they are, then deferring their application for a year is not sacrificing very much compared with debts of at least £27,000. One year is not very long and there are plenty of things to do, they could go travelling or get a job or by way of further protest get job seekers allowance.

How will large numbers of students gain the confidence to do this? Well the NUS and UCU need to encourage such action by campaigning at schools and colleges across the country. Also teachers, head teachers and directors could also highlight the effectiveness that large numbers of students not applying would have. This kind of action is harder than marching past the houses of parliament as it will affect themselves the protestors - those that do not apply – and it will also affect others such as lecturers and researchers but they should remember that the consequence of not doing so will be much higher fees and this is worse.