An insider's guide to education
What has happened to the trouble-free period the Government was planning for education in the run-in to the election?
First, the INTO expose the searing public anger over class size. And now college fees are suddenly back on the agenda.
That call by new UCC president Michael Murphy for the re-introduction of fees has touched a raw nerve in Government circles. Mary Hanafin was quick to brush aside any talk of fees last week, but the genie is out of the bottle.
And take our word for it, once the election is comfortably out of the way, the issue of fees will move back up to the top of the education agenda.
The official line from Government and Opposition is that fees are off the agenda, but this has done nothing to dispel the widespread belief in education circles that fees or some other new funding mechanism is coming down the tracks.
Everyone accepts radical action is required to end the funding crisis for our third-level colleges. By most estimates, the colleges need an additional €350 million a year. Fees could yield €200 million.
One thing is certain; the patience of the third-level sector is beginning to snap. There is anger at all this Government rhetoric about "world class" education - without world class resources and facilities.
Remember that report on a possible university for Waterford? Well, don't hold your breath.
Mary Hanafin has asked British academic Jim Port to explore all aspects of the issue.
This report must be completed, apparently, before any formal consideration can be given to this delicate matter.
No decision now seems likely this side of the election - now there's a surprise.
They say there is no such thing as a free lunch.
If you need proof consider the much-hyped Tesco "free" computers for schools scheme.
In fact, a school needs to spend - wait for it - €261,600 at Tesco to secure one "free" Apple 17-inch iMac worth €1,400. Or fancy an entry-level PC worth €818? That will be €215,000 in Tesco shopping.
More examples? A "free" Gaelic football at SuperValu? That's €3,950 worth of shopping for something worth just €14. All credit to Joe Fogarty and the Campaign for Commercial Free Education, which has done such admirable work in this area.
E-mail us at teacherspet@ irish-times.ie
