Sir, - On behalf of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) I wish to express our interest on reading Many RTC pupils from lower paid by Andy Pollak (July 1st). The registrar of Cork Regional Technical College told the European Network convention that 44.7 per cent of new RTC entrants, in 1992, came from the five lowest income groups and just 22.3 per cent from these income groups went to universities. The figures for the five highest income groups showed that 55.6 per cent were new university entrants and only 36.5 per cent of the students from this group went to RTCs.
While this is a disgraceful situation it is not one which comes as a surprise to USI.
USI laments the fact that a third-level education is often only available to those who, by accident of birth, were horn into the middle classes. We believe that it is only through the provision of such statistics that change will be implemented.
In the coming college year, 1997-1998, students face yet another hurdle. A service charge of Pounds 150, initiated by the outgoing Minister for Education two years ago when undergraduates fees' were abolished, is to be implemented. USI has called on the new Minister, Michael Martin, to act for students not against them - by guaranteeing that the capitation fee is not about to spiral.
While USI acknowledges that there has been an increase in the number of students from the lower-income groups who attend third level education, it recognises that enormous work must be done to ensure that this increase continues. Free fees allowed students to enter third-level education. However, a lack of an adequate grants system means that students often cannot afford to continue their studies. The government must pledge to radically improve the current system to allow the participation of students from all social backgrounds in Irish universities and colleges.
The new Minister's commitment to implement change in the third-level education system will be the yardstick by which students will measure him.
USI looks forward to a pro-active approach to third-level education to bring students into the next century. - Yours, etc.,
President, Union of Students in Ireland, Dublin 7.