MARIAN LYON,
Madam, - The primary concern of parents of second-level students is their welfare, and the opportunity for them to reach their full potential. The majority of parents' recognise the inherent fairness of the points system. However, they are concerned about the effect it is having on their children and their education, as it is the only means of access for entry to the third-level system.
The recent publication of "league tables" outlining the number of students from individual schools who go to universities is an attempt by the media to scaremonger. These articles included misinformation, they took no account of geographical influence and therefore are worthless.
Fortunately Irish parents know universities are not the sole providers of further education. The institutes of technology around the country account for the majority of students entering third-level education. Nursing, teacher training colleges, NCAD, agricultural colleges, private colleges and universities outside the State cater for many thousand students. Apprenticeships and colleges of further education offer another alternative to universities.
Parents in many schools are told at meetings for incoming students where the students from the previous year have gone for their third-level education, numbers working and the number of apprenticeships and so on.
Parents who have not received this information yet need only ask their school principal. - Yours, etc.,
MARIAN LYON, PRO, National Parents' Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges, Virginia, Co Cavan.