PATRICK MAHER,
Sir, - Why is there such a furore over the fact that a large number of students attending Trinity and UCD had the financial resources to attend private fee-paying second level colleges? We do, after all, live in a society where wealth guarantees you access to better health care, better legal representation in the courts and the opportunity to live in an area which has a low crime rate. Why else are people forced, or willing, to pay such large amounts of money for these privileges?
The ever spiralling cost of VHI, the legal costs of tribunals and the growing number of "exclusive" housing developments (who are they excluding?) is proof that cash is now the key and education is becoming just another cash commodity in Ireland.
I'm sure that the students in these colleges (many of whom are repeating), as well as being motivated and encouraged by their parents are occasionally reminded of the financial burden they are imposing on the family finances. We may also assume that the majority come from a similar socio-economic background (pity the survey didn't shed some light on this area) and perhaps the Government should bring in some legislation, similar to that on social housing, which would provide places in these colleges for students from poorer backgrounds.
If in the future we are to publish school results in the form of a league table, are we then going to see the mortality rates for different hospitals and the crime rate for individual Garda stations? And if so, is the caring nurse who works in an under-funded public hospital, and the conscientious garda stationed in a deprived area with an above average crime rate, to be paid less than those working in private clinics or in areas with a lower crime rate? For that is the logic of those who would "pay teachers by results", regardless of social circumstances. Imagine what this would do for the morale of those working in these poorer areas, frequently under ever more difficult circumstances. They certainly aren't doing it just for the money, but now it appears that money is the only yardstick. You are what you earn.
As a teacher I have no problem with the area of accountability or assessment and I would welcome a visit (a full day) from an inspector with whom I could discuss issues such as funding, support learning, discipline, training and other areas where we could work for the mutual benefit of our students, rather than just examining points tables. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK MAHER, Beaufort, Killarney, Co Kerry.