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08th Aug 2022

Rishi Sunak wants to crack down on degrees that don’t make students rich

Simon Bland

Sunak has taken aim at university degrees that leave students with high levels of debt

Rishi Sunak has promised to phase out university degrees that don’t make graduates a lot of money, explaining that he’ll aim to crack down on courses and degrees that limit a graduate’s “earning potential.”

The idea forms part of a wider plan to reform education post-16 years of age, with Sunak explaining that, “a good education is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet when it comes to making people’s lives better.”

Sunak, who is competing against Liz Truss to become the next PM, has also revealed plans to create a range of world-class technical colleges and launch a British baccalaureate that would ensure teenagers continue to study maths and English after the age of 16.

The MP, who was last week shamed over a video where he admitted taking money from deprived areas, also explained that, should he become prime minister, he will strengthen the links between universities and technical institutions and the practical workplace, as well as introducing digital and artificial intelligence technologies into the classroom in order to help teachers’ workloads.

Sunak believes the measures will help pave the way for “a significant stride towards parity of esteem between vocational and academic education.”

“These proposals will take a tougher approach to university degrees that saddle students with debt, without improving their earning potential.

“I will also take bold, practical steps to build on the successful Conservative education reforms of the past decade by harnessing technology and improving the quality of teaching in underperforming areas.

“Every child deserves a world-class education and, if I become prime minister, I will make it my mission from day one to ensure that’s what they get.”

Commenting on the importance of continuing to study maths and English beyond the age of 16, Sunak pointed to other countries during an interview with The Telegraph.

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