Mobility of loans does not work

A few weeks ago, decision-making, the European Students' Union (ESU), the highest body - the board, comprised of 47 national student unions from 39 countries - a resolution calling for the scrapping of the idea of ​​introducing a European Masters degree Loan Guarantee Scheme.

Earlier, ESU serious concerns about this new tool, all proposals for multi-annual financial framework (MFF) from 2014-20 as part of the new Erasmus he voiced included. ESU's exact position in the scheme can be found here.

The ESU policy as a means of support rather than student loans with scholarships. This is our firm belief that higher educations that receive public funding should be linked to a social responsibility.

At the end of the day, highly educated population of the benefits of regular training for skilled labor in general to overcome the economic consequences of an egalitarian society, because it means an educated society.

The mobility of the 20% target

But let us leave aside for a moment the ideological struggle, and the proposal that we are now back on the table.

First, let's about numbers. This is not supposed to be spent on the new Erasmus for All program, every euro is a constant struggle.

We, of course, welcome the increased budget for the new MFF, however, what the European Union (EU) ministers agreed that education is seen as a follow-up to that moment we would like to clarify that we have - now set a benchmark in 2020, a period of at least 20% of students study abroad it must be experienced.

So, we find comparatively higher education gets more so than in previous years, it is entirely reasonable. That is essential, also, the social dimension of the EU programs, such as a destination for study grants tying goals if we want to commit to.

The loan guarantee was set to receive about 5% of the total budget for Erasmus for All. But we made a simple arithmetic exercise, and try to say what proportion of the higher education part of the budget to see if they would say about 10% of the total amount of the loan scheme.

The scheme can be optional for students to use, but the cost is just too high in terms of added value.

Payments to hunt students

and we move on. We have said several times that the EU has not properly investigated the potential impact of this new policy instrument. Yes, it could be argued that no one is really trying to assess its impact.

However, ESU opinion is not correct. Therefore, even though the student debt levels in the United States, Canada and Chile to look into it, we feel it is possible to worrying signs in Europe.

A clear example of the United Kingdom, where a debate on the size of the debt of student tuition fees and to pay for their living expenses through the area would be created lasting underestimated. This is not an international student loans that require additional efforts to make sure to mention the students pay back.

Student loans by private companies operating in the UK, has been hired to track down who is going to fall off the radar after the students return to their countries.

UK case sends a clear signal that such loans are risky, and that the problems of students to meet their commitments. EU funds should not be a hunt for student financial approval, is used directly or indirectly.

Brain drain in Europe now drains issue. It is no secret that the regional development in Europe we talk about paid professions than others.

Erasmus for All is a scheme that is funded by public money, so help us to consider whether or not to build a cohesive team and we expect a stronger Europe - there are alternatives available, such as set by the EU structural funds, especially the scholarship schemes, and the education of young people better into account the regional dimension to help create better employment opportunities.

Much more can be said, but the bottom line is that we probably do not agree on the need to accept the principle that the degree of mobility. At the same time, we can not write off the Bologna commitments, such as the portability of English, and back on the agenda of decision-makers with clear and precise result, we expect them to.

That will meet the needs of today's real and we call on the tools. In fact, the impact of the current loan payments for recent graduates to help the poor.

As always, learning mobility a reality for more people eager to discuss alternatives, and the development and implementation of the necessary measures or tools.

* Karina User is chair of the European Students' Union.