MP Presses Education Minister over University Admission "Quotas"

2.54.14pm GMT Tue 18th Mar 2003

The Education Minister Charles Clarke, has told Vincent Cable MP in parliament that the government will not be fixing targets or quotas for universities to restrict admission of private school pupils or on class grounds.

The minister's statement to Vincent Cable goes a long way to set the record straight after comments by his deputy Margaret Hodge who had promised a quota type system.

Since the borough has among the highest percentages of teenagers going to university and several highly regarded private schools (Lady Eleanor Holles; Hampton; St Pauls - in or close to the top 10 for academic achievement - St James, St Catherines) there is fear amongst applicants, their parents and schools that there will be discrimination against them.

Vincent Cable said: "the government has foolishly allowed the idea to gather momentum that university admissions will be tampered with to exclude private school and middle class pupils from the top universities even when they qualify on merit. "

"This is profoundly demoralising for young people who are trying to do their best in a highly competitive environment and is undermining confidence in the basic integrity of university admission procedures. "

"We have, in this area, excellent state run and privately run schools and colleges for sixth formers and it is essential that the government upholds the principle that university admission will be solely on merit. "

"University admission staff should not be getting into the dangerous business of allocation places by post code or on the basis of schools".

The minister's answer to me was reassuring but he still fiddles indirectly with admission - via the Higher Education Funding Council - by giving more money to universities which have less well qualified students".