The principle behind the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is "Something for Something".

Students receiving it are given weekly payments which they have supposedly earned by showing commitment to their studies. Yes?

What about all the other students in further education that do exactly the same? Those who, in order to get money, have to work their weekends?

EMA gives an enormous unfair advantage to those who receive it.

It's given to students from lower-income families. This is making a huge assumption that those who earn more than £30,000 have free cash to spend on their children. Because they earn more money, they can spend it on their children, right? No.

My parents earn more than £30,000 combined, and they do not have the means to give me even £10 per week. It goes on the mortgage, bills, groceries and taxes. Any money I have has come from my part-time job.

These people shouldn't need a bribe to stay on at school. The £100 bonus they receive for getting above a four on their Academic Review is something anyone in further education should be able to achieve. They have done nothing more than anyone else to receive this.

After working my weekend, I listen to my EMA-receiving peers talking about their new trainers and guitars, hairstyles and new clothes. These are people who do not work, and use their EMA for what they want to buy.

We are all born equal, and if you want something you work hard to get it. The EMA just encourages us to be lazy and dependent upon the state. If everyone could do this, they would.

Shame some of us are willing to work for the money we receive, rather than taking from the government.

Y Safder,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 08:55 Monday, May 01, 2006