We have already remarked several times (e.g. here) on the fatheaded policy of this government with regard to international students. It’s worse than that however. Cameron, May, Green and co. have two very serious blindspots. The first is that they think it’s OK to put international students in the same category as immigrants, in order that they can reduce their immigration figures (to win the xenophobic votes that might otherwise go to the BNP or UKIP) by reducing student numbers. The second is that these irresponsible vandals are destroying our international education industry, a fantastic post-war success story which has helped to counter the decline of traditional strengths in manufacturing, mining and so on, and to limit the damage caused by the new decline in our financial services sector. They are making a big mistake. A very big mistake.
In the case of London Metropolitan University the government has shown that it has abandoned the principle of fair play for which this country was once famed. Why on earth should thousands of legitimate, respectable, fee-paying international students, engaged on a vital career path, be made to pay for administrative systems for which they have no responsibility, and in which they have no involvement? These are shameful bully-boy tactics which will do enormous damage to our educational institutions, our international standing, and our economy. Not just three short planks, but three bloody fools, and dangerous with it.
Couldn't agree more, David. This is horrendous news not only for the international students directly affected at London Met but also for the likes of us whose work depends on their business.
So why can't the British Council pull their finger out and get this sorted out? After all, we understand that this organisation is the one that flies the flag for international students and, oh yes, aren't they very close to the government, too?
Posted by: Jane | August 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM
The British Council is focused on a) pleasing its FCO masters and b) making money for itself, and I don't think fighting this will fit their plans or perceptions. Close to government? Yes, too close.
Posted by: David | August 30, 2012 at 12:01 PM
BBC now reporting the students' distress. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19419395 The Draconian nature of the punishment is sickening. If the licence had been suspended so no new students were entitled to arrive, would London Met not have moved sharpish to sort everything out? UKBA says this was "not an option". Of course it bloody was.
Posted by: David | August 30, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Love your blog. As always, spot on. EFL industry in the UK is being crushed by these idiots. UKBA is not fit for purpose and BC worse than useless.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 30, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Thanks, Anonymous.
Posted by: David | August 30, 2012 at 06:20 PM
Hear hear David. Very true.
Posted by: Sarah Short | August 31, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Thank you Sarah.
Posted by: David | August 31, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Absolutely, David. I'm currently doing my annual stint of pre-sessional university teaching. My recently-arrived international students are very worried indeed, and you just know they're wondering whther they should have gone to do their masters programmes in Australia, New Zealand, the US, the Netherlands...
This is not to miss out on the point that London Met are quite possibly a bunch of incompetent arses, conceivably with a strong element in their institutional culture of "it's reactionary/racist to check peoples' visas and/or cooperate with the UKBA", though...
Posted by: WhitSt | September 02, 2012 at 11:23 AM