Level Playing Field

I was recently asked to shoot some portraits of a young asylum seeker in Glasgow. His story was featured in the Glasgow Uni Guardian, and here is an extract

'[Silver Takenzire] has lived in Glasgow for longer than many students of Glasgow University. Having achieved credit-level results in his Standard Grades, Silver will join thousands of other 16 year-olds in sitting his Highers this coming May. After this, he says, he would love to study medicine at Glasgow Uni and he is quietly confident he will get the grades. But unlike the rest of his classmates it will cost Silver £10,000 per year in tuition fees alone, adding up to more than £50,000 for the duration of his course, before living costs are even considered.

Such is the harsh reality of facing asylum seekers across Scotland; regardless of their Scottish qualifications and homes within the country, the educational establishment treats them as international applicants, liable to pay the same fees as anyone else from outside the EU. This prices university education out of their reach, and the law does not allow asylum seekers to work legally in this country to pay for their schooling. With no welcome waiting for them in their countries of birth, asylum seekers in Scotland could be forgiven if they fail to appreciate the famed Scottish hospitality.'

This is such an interesting story, I'm glad the Guardian have decided to highlight this issue which many people are unaware of. Asylum seekers are a big part of Glasgow life - dawn raids and protests regularly make the news. I had no idea of this situation and I hope the publicity around the uni campus will provoke a response from the Scottish Exec. Silver was a really nice guy, polite and keen to tell his story. His family are in the process of making their fourth (and final) application for asylum, and I hope they are successful.

With reference to the 'famed Scottish hospitality' mentioned in Chris' article, it's interesting to note that the woman to the left of the frame has been captured mid-rant, claiming that we had ruined her meal out. She was obnoxious and complained to the management about us, despite the photo shoot lasting 2 minutes at the most. I was incredibly angry at the time, but once I got the photo home I realised that she makes this photo. Perhaps I should find her and reimburse her the £2.50 for her "ruined" fish supper?