NUS research provides exclusive snapshot into the student experience on 100th birthday
Members of Parliament, former NUS Presidents and the education sector gather in Parliament today to mark NUS’ centenary. They will not only be reflecting on the past achievements of the student movement, but looking to the future.
To commemorate their 100th birthday, the National Union of Students commissioned some research to understand the concerns facing students today.
Providing a snapshot into the lives of students in 2022, a far higher number of those surveyed (48%) felt that previous generations had a better experience in education. Just 12% disagreed that this was the case.
This is largely believed to be because of the lack of tuition fees and less debt, not having to contend with Covid-19 at the same time and having grants taken away.
87% of those responding feel the education system does not work perfectly . This includes a majority of those surveyed (55%) who said that the system is simply not working, supporting NUS’ position that this education model is fundamentally broken.
Struggling with mental health
Overall, two in three students reported that their mental health and wellbeing was a key issue facing them, and over half (51%) said they currently feel anxious. Despite this, only 34% of students were satisfied with the mental health support on offer to them.
This is clearly linked to the belief from students that they are being left behind and forgotten about by those in power. Just over one in five (22%) feel that Colleges and Universities are a priority for their government, whilst fewer than one in twenty (4%) believe that the education system is good and that there’s no need to change it.
Commenting, NUS UK President Larissa Kennedy said:
“With just one week to go until the student strike on 2nd March, this research shows exactly why students have decided to walk out of their education system. The figures are an appalling indictment on the Government’s broken marketised 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.
“That’s why we’re coming together to create an alternative on 2nd March at our student strike. Together, we will imagine and build a better education system for the next 100 years.”
Responses