Madam, – It is with extraordinary insolence that the Higher Education Authority has instructed college presidents to inform incoming students that, on accepting their CAO offers recently, they may have shaken hands with a monster of debt.
The Minister for Education has employed a messenger in the form of the HEA to deliver a proposal that will cremate third-level education in this country.
I am insulted that he has shown such disregard for the Cabinet – which has yet to meet to discuss the details of his plans. In addition, he has shown naivety in thinking that fees for third-level education can snake their way into this country in this manner.
I hope that now he has covered his legal behind, he will turn his attention to how those from disadvantaged backgrounds will advance beyond second-level education.
Graduates contribute 70 per cent more to the exchequer than non-graduates and in every study, fees have been shown to reduce the number of students proceeding to third level education.
Those who have received CAO offers are doing all society can ask of them – they are trying to reach their potential. It has been said that “we all have to take a hit” in this recession. Are the 17-year-olds suffering? Will they get a part-time job in this academic year? Will their parents earn the same level of income this year? Will they have a job in three years’ time to repay the debt their education has accumulated?
The students of Ireland are armed with an education, an appreciation of what that means and a strong sense of duty to those who can’t afford the golden ticket to the lecture hall.
The return of fees is many things, but “inevitable” they are not. – Is mise,