Education is a Human Right!

Dear Norman Baker, MP
Education is a right. Education is a necessity. Education is vital to the future of billions of children. Without it people are at a loss. They are unable to get a job (and thus make money), or cope in many different social or professional situations. As such, any cuts or changes to this country's educational system must be made carefully, as to be sure that they will not affect the quality of education, something our country is proud of (and with good reason). Furthermore, changes must affect everyone, both students and teachers, fairly. And perhaps most importantly, they must not restrict anyone from receiving such a vital need as a decent schooling. As without one, you dont stand a chance at an equal life.
We are appalled that, in terms of education spending at least, the proposed spending review does not treat everyone equally. In addition, it will reduce the quality of teaching, and will stop hundreds of thousands of young people, including many of us, from going on to higher education. This is because of two main changes in education, which we are particularly angry about:
1. Changes to the cap in university tuition fees. Before the election, the Liberal Democrats said they would aim to remove tuition fees completely. Instead, you have buckled under pressure from the powerful Conservatives, and the current plan is to raise the cap on tuition fees. This means that universities will free reign to charge much more than many people can afford, thus stopping numerous underprivileged students from attending. When we leave university, we will be in 1000s of debt. Many people, who would otherwise be perfectly capable of going, will not be able to simply because a lack of money, and as such their chances of a decent job in the future will suffer.
2. The scrapping of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA): for many lower income families this allowance for was the difference between having the choice of going to one of many colleges around the country, instead of just the local one. It paid for travel costs, lunch, and any books or learning materials students may have needed. Without it, lots of students will be stuck without a choice of college, and will be forced to go the nearest one, which may not be able to cater for that students individual needs and wants as well as one of the other, less accessible ones, would.
It is these two things we feel will affect people the most. Any changes for the worse will dramatically reduce peoples future prospects. It because of this that we demand that you, as our MP, vote against any changes to the educational system proposed in parliament. These changes are not just policy changes; they are changes to our future, and not good ones at that.