Sir, – I am appalled to hear that Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is contemplating introduction of fees or loans for third-level students (Teacher’s Pet, Education Today, October 11th).
I also learn on the same page that there are only three members of the present Cabinet who did not attend private secondary schools.This is a clear example of Ireland’s two-tier education system.
I don’t believe the Cabinet members understand the problem. All their friends, family and colleagues will attend third-level no matter what fees/loans, etc, are introduced.
The problem is for the more marginal groups of people who will be put off by fees, or by having to take out student loans.
Many young people who now have to emigrate to find work, will do so, without the benefit of the best education they can have. We have seen the results of that over hundreds of years, and it does not make for happy reading.
Others who take out loans and do get to college then have to pay these loans back at the most expensive stage of their lives when they are trying to get a home, start a family and pay for childcare.
Education is a right for everyone, not just for an elite.
The cost of education should be shared by everyone over their whole working lives through a progressive tax system. – Yours, etc,