THE NATIONAL Union of Students has scraped its calls for free university education, in favour of a more "pragmatic" campaign against lifting the tuition fees cap.
Student Direct last week uncovered the already astounding costs of university education, revealing that cuts in contact time over recent years have meant that some students are now paying over £34 per hour for their teaching.
The situation could now be set to worsen even further, following the government review of student funding scheduled to take place next year. Many universities, of which Manchester is thought to be one, are lobbying hard for the current cap on fees to be lifted.
At the NUS annual conference, delegates voted to abandon its policy of calling for a free education. Instead of demanding the abolition of fees, the organisation will fight against the possible removal of the cap, a move which has disappointed some campaigners.
Students' Union Campaigns Officer Andy Cunningham said: "It is now more important than ever to remain committed to the fight for a free education, and it is disappointing to see the NUS failing to take the lead on this issue".
Newly-elected NUS President Wes Streeting sought to defend the NUS from claims that it was "selling out", arguing that a more "pragmatic" approach was being adopted in order to gain a stronger position in the debate.
He commented: "While the NUS should retain a principled commitment to the notion of free education, the focus for the 2009 review must be to secure a fairer funding system for all students, to defeat any attempts to lift the cap and further the destructive marketisation of higher education".
A large majority of delegates voted for the NUS's new education policy at the recent annual conference in Blackpool.
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