Fewer than one in 20 students think the current education system is good enough in the UK, according to statistics reached by NUS UK ahead of the national student strike.
In a recent reveal the NUS (National Union of Students) has said students around the UK are generally unhappy with the state of the education system, with mental health being a key issue.
Their stats showed that only four per cent of students believe we have a good education system and there’s no need to change it. In contrast, 87 per cent of those who responded to the survey felt the education system does not work perfectly.
This included a majority of those surveyed, 55 per cent, who said that the system is simply ‘not working’.
Two thirds of respondents stated mental health as a key issue they’re dealing with and over half, 51 per cent, said they currently feel anxious.
Undervalued students
The NUS UK President, Larissa Kennedy, called out the Government and its ‘marketized model that simply doesn’t value students’ for the reason behind it.
Subsequently, just over one in five, 22 per cent, of students felt Colleges and Universities are a priority for their government, with NUS UK saying students feel ‘overlooked’ by those in power.
Larissa said: “The figures are an appalling indictment on the Government’s broken marketized model that simply doesn’t value students.
“But sadly, these stats don’t surprise me. They speak to what I’ve been hearing from students – burdened with anxiety, feeling overlooked by those in power, and unsupported in addressing the financial difficulties that compound the student mental health crisis.
“After a century of ground-breaking work, including successfully campaigning for access to free healthcare, in favour of LGBTQ+ rights, and against the payment of council tax by students, the student movement has so much to be proud of.
“Now is the time to reimagine education that is rooted in care and liberation. Something altogether different and better. Something operating for the transformation of society, and actually valuing the needs and wants of students. Something accessible, fully funded, lifelong and democratic.”
More strikes
These statistics come ahead of the national student strike tomorrow, Wednesday March 2, where students are encouraged to ‘reunite to reimagine the broken system’.
The strike – at Torrington Square, in Bloomsbury, London – will take place between 12pm and 4pm and allows students to take part in workshops and view interactive art, performance and speeches.
“That’s why the student movement is coming together to create an alternative on 2nd March at our student strike,” Larissa continued. “Together, we will imagine and build a better education system for the next 100 years.”
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