Dinghy show 2013 new stuff

nope... I can have a midlife crisis at 40 and spend my daughters's future tuition fees on one... well probably 5 of them, but that's another point.  I can then join the other 20 of them that will be racing every wednesday night and weekend at my local sailing club... in Barbados.

I know that this is "off topic" but my philosophy is that if a student can't financially justify a degree financed on debt on the basis of a subsequent career, then they shouldn't go. Run with a vocational course or some such.
I paid my own way 100% on debt, still paying it a decade on, but don't think this is unreasonable. Whilst at a fairly reputable univbersity, I saw a large amount of spoilt rich kids p*ssing it up the wall or 7 - 11 stoner sofamonkeys at their parents expense with little regard for why they were there.
Giving ultimate financial repsonsibility to the student sharpens the mind, and is democratic / a meritocracy regarding eligibility. Admittedly many will not need to become indebted, but one of the first lessons in life is that it isn't fair.

My wife vehemently disagrees with this - I can see her point to an extent with those that go forward into the postgrad environment, and are actually progressing humanity / industry, but I think that they are in a massive minority comapred to lifestyle students and Jack Wills clotheshorses in new minis.

Fair enough - I guess governments will feel similarly for bottom line reasons, but I just think that a person should be a self sufficient entity by 18, which means taking responsibility for earning a living or serious academic training, and that navel gazing about whether to be a nail technician or wedding planner or a footballer is a bit of a luxury.

The troubles of such a tertiary economy I guess.

bring back national service I say.

Old man rant over.

For heavens sake get it right - it's not Student Debt it's a GRADUATE TAX!!!