A chara, - Cynthia Ni Mhurchu's recent article highlighted a number of important issues regarding third level education in this country. Firstly, there are numerous students attempting to attend lectures and pass exams while experiencing subsistence level accommodation and nutrition. Secondly, and more importantly, third level education, remains largely inaccessible to certain sections of our society.
In my previous role in community/youth work, I encountered many individuals who, had their circumstances been different would today be filling the halls of academia. Intelligence and creativity demand expression. If access to legitimate means is denied, the potential for destructiveness is increased.
Rather than stigmatise individuals or communities as disadvantaged, it is to us as a society that such a label should apply, with its concomitant feelings of shame and inadequacy. For how much longer can we afford to consign youth, vitality and enthusiasm to a life of limited opportunity, apathy and the dole? I am repeatedly reminded of the wonderful young people with whom I was privileged to work and whose talent deserved so much more. Is mise le meas
Psychology, Lecturer,
Applied \Social Studies in Social Care,
Waterford R.T.C.