And now for something completely different...

But yet, very much the same :)

I asked the young people on my Facebook account what they wanted to see written about on here; this is, after all, a portal for the true voices of young people. A suggestion came up from an MYP in my region (South West) that I blog about the EMA - or educational maintenance allowance. For those not in the know, the EMA is a weekly payment of up to £30 for 16- 18 year olds who stay in education/training from households earning less than £30,810 per year. This scheme was initiated by the government to encourage young people to stay in education.

The subject of EMA is a very popular one in the South West - it was the subject of much discussion at our regional residential. I don't know if other regions share in this, but I would imagine some do.

So why am I writing about it? Because, believe it or not, education matters. The EMA has helped (according to wikipedia) improve attendance rates (payment is based upon attendance) and motivation. The rate of those staying on in education have increased 5.9% thanks to EMA. Thus, the principle is very good, education is an investment in the future; the EMA is proof that the Government is investing in our future and, ultimately, the future of the country. Inescapable fact. All very well and good. "It helped me go to a new (and better) sixth form which would have proved impossible otherwise."

However, many of the people I have spoken to have said that the system is inconsistent. One said "If it wasn't for the other members of my family, I would not have been able to do the courses I want", another said "I have not been paid at all this year. Some people I know are owed thousands". "It's so unreliable, it drives me mad!" The thoughts of most of the people whose opinions I received can be summarised by one who said "What EMA?!"

In conclusion, I do not think there is a panacea for the system. Of course there will always some corruption, I knew of once an individual (too old for EMA now) whose parents kept themselves significantly well afloat by investing, and NOT working. As they had no annual earning income, their child was entitled to EMA, but at the same time were exremely well off. Fair? Tricky. However, for the sake of those who still struggle, financially, to continue with education, despite EMA, a solution to the inconsistency of payment is vital. After all, our national economy will thrive in the long term from this short term investment.

EMA is not one of the debate topics, but I felt I should blog about it because it facilitates education, including political education (aha!)