PARENTS could be forced to stop their children going to university if they have to make a higher contribution to fees, according to a group of concerned parents.

A group of them have launched an online survey to find out how Islanders think university education should be funded in future.

They say that Education’s plans to change the system as a result of ever-increasing costs could result in huge financial problems for parents, and fewer students going on to higher education.

‘Students will be saying they won’t go to university, and parents will be saying they can’t do it.

They won’t be able to afford it,’ said spokeswoman Patricia Winchester.

Last year, Education spent £10 million on student grants, while parents put in another £7 million.

The introduction of tuition fees of up to £3,000 from September 2006 means that the cost is expected to keep going up and could reach £20 million a year by 2009.

As a result, Education asked Islanders to take a look at a number of options for the future and last month released a consultation document including the following options: lLimiting the number of students who get help.

lIntroducing student loans of up to £5,000 a year.

lIncreasing the amount the States spend on student grants to more than £12m by 2009.

lAltering the contributions made by parents and the States.

However, the group of 70 ‘con-cerned parents’ say that these suggestions could result in huge problems for families.

Group co-ordinator Nigel Minihane said: ‘This is an investment in the future.

‘These are the people who will provide economic sustainability and physical care for the previous generation.

Education to graduate level is now the norm in many spheres of life.

Anything that would threaten to increase the recognised skills gap in Jersey would present a serious problem.

‘Education have promised a radical rethink of policy.

The proposed 50-50 split between the States and parents would result in approximately a 60 per cent increase in parental contributions compared with a 17 per cent increase in States expenditure.

This is on a background of introduction of GST and increased taxation.

‘With the introduction of student loans, the States contributions would vary between a 31 per cent increase and a five per cent decrease, depending on the size of the loan.

‘By contrast, household contributions would increase concurrently by between 59 per cent and 161 per cent.’ He said that both the options could inhibit the return of any skilled professionals to the Island, and added: ‘It is likely that increased parent/student contributions would reduce options and discourage higher education in general.’