Madam, - The Higher Education Authority's recent statistics, quoted in your edition of June 23rd show that the abolition of fees has not improved access to universities here. Some drastic policy changes are clearly required.
Mr Dempsey's approach thus far can be summarised. First of all he slashed the budgets of third level institutions, particularly the institutes of technology, where cuts of the order of 33 per cent were imposed. Monies saved here were to be diverted to the primary sector, ostensibly as a long-term solution to third level access though it actually compounds the (short-term?) access problem. It should not be a case of playing off one sector against another. Ideally all students will complete all three stages of the education process.
He then proposed re-introducing fees but, in the face of widespread opposition, withdrew the measure. His concerns here about third level access for all sound hollow. This is particularly so in the light of the relatively good record of the ITs in regard to access. Yet this sector was the one that was singled out for the most vicious cut-backs. We now have the situation where many ITs are cash-strapped for resources. Even chalk, markers and paper are in short supply. Here in Galway 30 of the pro-rata teaching staff have been given notice that their services will no longer be required, for instance. The situation across the country is probably similar.
The CAO entry points for courses in the Institutes of Technology tend to be much lower than those for universities. Students from lower and middle-income families, not having access to Leaving Certificate "grind schools" among other things, are catered for by the ITs to quite an extent because of this. Many such students find the practical nature of the courses attractive.
Are students from the lower-income strata now to be denied access to proper facilities and courses because of the Government's penny-pinching? What is needed is surely to encourage even more students from lower-income backgrounds to pursue third level courses at ITs and universities. This is eminently possible provided the Government gives some financial support to these students. They must be convinced of the advantages of third level education.
The IDA and industry have repeatedly highlighted the shortage of graduates with technological skills as a problem for the economy. The ITs represent a very cost-effective solution to this crux. Developing courses in areas such as instrumentation, telecommunications and opto-electronics require equipment and expertise. A joint strategy with the IDA, Forfas and existing industry is the way forward.
Unfortunately, it would seem that Mr Dempsey's crude measures thus far are primarily designed to distract us from real solutions and from the Government's underfunding of education. If the Minister really believes in access to third level for all socio-ecopnomic groups, then developing ITs rather than starving them seems the obvious route. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN CUNNINGHAM, Department of Physical Sciences, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Claddagh Road, Galway.