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| For students, the Queen’s speech should be a call to action | For students, the Queen’s speech should be a call to action |
| (7 months later) | |
| On mental health, EU citizens’ rights and counter-extremism, there is an opportunity for student campaigners to make a real difference | |
| Fri 23 Jun 2017 11.54 BST | |
| Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 08.21 BST | |
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| The Queen’s speech was a dream come true for no one – except perhaps foxes, who will be relieved that there was no further mention of hunting. But for students, it was a mixed bag. | The Queen’s speech was a dream come true for no one – except perhaps foxes, who will be relieved that there was no further mention of hunting. But for students, it was a mixed bag. |
| The speech was light on detail and heavy on Brexit. For the 84% of voting students who were opposed to leaving the EU, the future it outlined is exactly what we didn’t want. But there were silver linings: the announcement of plans to abolish letting agent fees and to bring forward legislation protecting victims of domestic violence, for instance. There are also plans to tackle the gender pay gap. | The speech was light on detail and heavy on Brexit. For the 84% of voting students who were opposed to leaving the EU, the future it outlined is exactly what we didn’t want. But there were silver linings: the announcement of plans to abolish letting agent fees and to bring forward legislation protecting victims of domestic violence, for instance. There are also plans to tackle the gender pay gap. |
| The government was weakened during the election, and is starting to retreat in places. In three areas in particular, I am optimistic that there is an opportunity for student campaigners to make a difference: | The government was weakened during the election, and is starting to retreat in places. In three areas in particular, I am optimistic that there is an opportunity for student campaigners to make a difference: |
| Mental health | Mental health |
| It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is currently a mental health crisis among students. NUS research has shown that 78% of students experience mental health problems. Students across the country tell us that their universities are drastically under-resourced when it comes to mental health support. Despite this, government research and investment in mental health services has consistently failed to involve education providers. | It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is currently a mental health crisis among students. NUS research has shown that 78% of students experience mental health problems. Students across the country tell us that their universities are drastically under-resourced when it comes to mental health support. Despite this, government research and investment in mental health services has consistently failed to involve education providers. |
| Now, though, the government have announced a green paper on mental health issues affecting young people and children. Students across the UK should join me in imploring the government: please involve education providers. Our schools, colleges and universities need to be able to offer sufficient mental health support. This is an opportunity to make that happen. | Now, though, the government have announced a green paper on mental health issues affecting young people and children. Students across the UK should join me in imploring the government: please involve education providers. Our schools, colleges and universities need to be able to offer sufficient mental health support. This is an opportunity to make that happen. |
| The rights of international students | The rights of international students |
| Since the result of the EU referendum was announced, students and universities have been calling on the government to reassure international students and academics that their rights will be protected. So far, the response has been far from reassuring. Indeed, Theresa May’s insistence on counting international students in net migration figures has been distinctly disconcerting. | Since the result of the EU referendum was announced, students and universities have been calling on the government to reassure international students and academics that their rights will be protected. So far, the response has been far from reassuring. Indeed, Theresa May’s insistence on counting international students in net migration figures has been distinctly disconcerting. |
| This is worrying for all students. NUS research shows that 75% of UK students believe their university experience would suffer without their international peers. At the moment, university offers an incredible and unique opportunity to meet people from hundreds of different cultures. This helps us become global citizens – something we are all going to need to be in the post-Brexit era. | This is worrying for all students. NUS research shows that 75% of UK students believe their university experience would suffer without their international peers. At the moment, university offers an incredible and unique opportunity to meet people from hundreds of different cultures. This helps us become global citizens – something we are all going to need to be in the post-Brexit era. |
| Clearly there will have to be conversations about how best to manage immigration, both during and after Brexit. Students will be making sure that the rights of international students and the openness of our universities are a big part of those conversations. | Clearly there will have to be conversations about how best to manage immigration, both during and after Brexit. Students will be making sure that the rights of international students and the openness of our universities are a big part of those conversations. |
| Counter-extremism | Counter-extremism |
| The Queen’s speech also announced a new “counter-extremism commission”, which will help the government to identify and confront “extremist ideology” (although what exactly this entails remains unclear). | The Queen’s speech also announced a new “counter-extremism commission”, which will help the government to identify and confront “extremist ideology” (although what exactly this entails remains unclear). |
| For students, this could be a chance to debate the government’s odious “Prevent” duty, which asks teachers and lecturers to monitor and report students who show signs of “radicalisation”. Students across the country have been campaigning against Prevent for years, not because we don’t want to tackle violent extremism but because Prevent is wildly counterproductive. | For students, this could be a chance to debate the government’s odious “Prevent” duty, which asks teachers and lecturers to monitor and report students who show signs of “radicalisation”. Students across the country have been campaigning against Prevent for years, not because we don’t want to tackle violent extremism but because Prevent is wildly counterproductive. |
| Signs of radicalisation outlined under Prevent are as vague as appearing “withdrawn” or seeking “political change”. These unclear guidelines have led to overzealous staff threatening to report everyone from PhD students studying counter-terrorism to four-year-old children. Muslims are disproportionately targeted, and Muslim students have been left feeling stigmatised and isolated. | Signs of radicalisation outlined under Prevent are as vague as appearing “withdrawn” or seeking “political change”. These unclear guidelines have led to overzealous staff threatening to report everyone from PhD students studying counter-terrorism to four-year-old children. Muslims are disproportionately targeted, and Muslim students have been left feeling stigmatised and isolated. |
| This new commission will have to answer some serious questions, including from the UN, about how ineffective and damaging the policy has been. | This new commission will have to answer some serious questions, including from the UN, about how ineffective and damaging the policy has been. |
| The general election showed that students and young people can make a real difference. During the election we were passionate, committed and informed. If we carry that momentum forward, I have no doubt that we can seize every opportunity to bring about change. I remain fiercely optimistic. | The general election showed that students and young people can make a real difference. During the election we were passionate, committed and informed. If we carry that momentum forward, I have no doubt that we can seize every opportunity to bring about change. I remain fiercely optimistic. |
| Malia Bouattia is president of the National Union of Students | Malia Bouattia is president of the National Union of Students |
| Follow Guardian Students on Twitter: @GdnStudents. For graduate career opportunities, take a look at Guardian Jobs. | Follow Guardian Students on Twitter: @GdnStudents. For graduate career opportunities, take a look at Guardian Jobs. |
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