Sir, - Recently I wrote to all the main political parties at the Dáil asking them to forward to me their policies on education in the light of the coming election.
After three weeks I have received only the Labour Party policy and a reply from Michael Creed, Fine Gael spokesperson for education, saying the policy is being kept secret for strategic reasons before the election. I have as yet no replies from the Progressive Democrats or Fianna Fáil.
I am hoping to organise a student debate for second-level students in Waterford and the representatives of all the main parties in the light of the Scoil Report (mentioned in EL, February 12th), in which students were asking for different means of assessment to the Leaving Cert, and for the end to compulsory Irish for the Leaving and university matriculation.
Do I take it from the political parties that they do not wish any debate before the election on such issues - or worse that they have no new policies for primary and secondary education for the next five years? If they have ideas and wish to have a student audience - the next generation of voters - I would be glad to hear from them. - Yours, etc.,
CORMAC O'DUFFY,
The Scoil Project,
4 Dunmore Holiday Villas,
Dunmore East,
Co Waterford.