Sir, - I refer to reports in your paper of the Minister of Education's intention to raise the school-leaving age and the introduction of mandatory vocational training.
As an employer in the Dublin 10/12 area since 1973, I have found (as the school-leaving age increased) more and more young men with major literacy problems. On looking for adult literacy classes in this area there was nothing available. In Gallenstown and Cherry Orchard the school attendance officer has no power because of a gap in the law. In 1998 it was finally acknowledged by the educational establishment that literacy is a major problem in this country.
We here in Ballyfermot would suggest to the Minister that the issue is more one of quality than extending the school-leaving age.
We believe the Minister would achieve a great deal more if he were to use these additional resources to improve the quality of primary education and fund pre-school facilities in areas in need of them. - Yours, etc., Jerry Kiersey,
President, Ballyfermot Chamber of Commerce, Le Fanu Road, Dublin 10.