A chara, – If there aren't enough places in third level to meet demand I can understand why there are those who think the answer is to put more money into the sector ("Shortage of college places looms unless State invests in higher education, say campaigners", News, March 22nd).
However, given that a recent OECD report revealed that approximately 6 per cent of all recent graduates are functionally illiterate (News, February 20th), we would surely do better to prioritise the basics and spend any additional money available improving the resources available to our primary-school children. It is far better for someone to finish sixth class with a decent level of literacy than for them to emerge from third level to hang a parchment on their wall that they can barely read. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.