Ema, students get paid to stay in school? Options

[dart_nicola]

for those who dont know EMA is Educational Maintenance Allowance which basically means that students get paid up to £30 a week based on their household income.
personally i think this is unfair because some people get it and some dont, i think everyone should get it or no-one should. i think its a good idea to encourage people to further their education!!! write your views!

[dart_lisamarie]

EMA - Every little helps. Those who don't get it either are well of, i.e. over £30000 household income or haven't carried on to next level education.

It's fair, but possibly they should upper the maximum household income to £40000!

[dart_hayley]

I think ema is a great idea, but getting it myself and knowing how nice it is to be paid for something which is helping us to get a better paid job in the future, is great. I do feel for the people who dont get it, but should everyone get the same amount, If you go on what The New Right was about then they would say it was a waste. But where do you draw a line because you cant give everyone £30 to stay on to higher education because their would be arguements one weather that money could be better spend on the NHS or schooling itself.

will anyone have the right or wrong answer to this?

[dart_lisamarie]

NO! LOL!

[Mr Walker]

This discussion leads into the broad debate as to whether social benefits such a EMA, child support etc. should be means tested (assessed on income) or whether they should be universal (the same for everyone).
The modern welfare state was founded on the principle of universal benefits - in the last 60 years much of this has been eroded away and we are left with means testing for just about everything

[dart_lisamarie]

Yes sir, but Nicola still believes that EMA is wrong! She doesn't get it so she is very biased!

[dart_nicola]

well i think everyone should get it or no-one should to keep it fair. because yes my household income is over £30,000 a year but it doesnt mean that i get any of that money!

[dart_hayley]

This is one discussion that nicola will fight all the way!!

[dart_hayley]

Does anyone else have any input on this discussion?

[dart_nicola]

yes i shall fight it all the way because i think that it is unfair!

[dart_lisamarie]

Hahahaha!!!
Come to think of it, basing benefits on family income is sometimes unfair. Like in nicolas case, her family income may well be over the certain amount indicated but that doesn't mean she gets any.
There are many different benefits for instance child benefits, unemployded benefits etc. These are just a few that are given based on household income!

Some families have depts, Morgages etc and may not have a chance to touch this income! Which then again can be helped by 'managing your exsisting depts into one affordable monthly payment' lol! (adverts - amusing) But these gestures through adverts seem to be aimed at those who have a morgage! What about those who dont?

I'm sorry, my ranting on has an outcome about depts and managing them instead of EMA .....

EMA is a great idea, but i do believe it should be based upon the pupils interests/income rather than the household's .... Young teenagers should all have the opportunity to be responsible for money that they earn on their own! This would help them in later life - the world of work etc. Instead of relying on parents giving them money - EMA is a way of earning without a job but getting a better education.

But another view .... Isn't EMA just an outside reward to motivate you into learning? Like a certificate or medal etc?

But this is going down a different road! so yeh ... i'm going to stop and ask for other peoples views on these matters!

So ... are there any other views on these matters?

[dart_wattsk]

EMA .... seriously had a few chats on this topic, yer its a great idea but only for a few!
Like Nic, my parents earn over £30,000 or w/e it is but I don't get a sum of this money each week for my lunch etc etc etc. I go to work Fridays 4:30 - 8:30 and also Saturdays 1:30 - 9:30 to earn some cash for myself, I go to school and although u may argue I do slightly less work than some of you which may be true but thts another matter we each kinda do the same and yet some get paid £30 for it where's the justic in that?! I found it quite funny around December time where EMA pupils got letters stating whether they would receive their bonus or not for completing their work those who did were happy but those who didn't were going mad that it was unfair how comes they weren't allowed it etc etc etc, like its their right they need to understand its a privelege and as I have worked out over the years at school you only get priveledges if you deserve them! I hope this makes sense to those who are reading, please don't look at the time i wrote this because its well late lol!!! I was out afta work last night and didn't get up till 3pm so I am kinda well awake!

[Nick Jobson]

personally, i think the EMA is a great idea to help those who arn't well off. I myself have to pay for the train to school everyday, and i'm glad the EMA is there to help, or i wouldn't be able to continue here.
I think its only given to those under a certain income as by using this method, the money is given to those who need it most for learning expences, and the funds arn't exausted over all of the people who stay on in education, as some may be already well off and may not actually rely on it like others.

[Becky Clark]

I think EMA is a really good idea but i think everyone should get atleast £10 a week to help with travelle or books or wateva else they need

[Nick Jobson]

yeah i agree