Madam, - Dr Meaney starts her article (Opinion, December 10th) on an equitable third-level system with the following: "Third-level education in Ireland is still predominantly the preserve of the better-off. Graduates belong to a privileged group."
As a statement of fact, this is irrefutable. All sorts of things are the preserve of the better off, because they cost a lot to buy, and those of us who want them must work hard to be able to acquire them. But when I hear the above statement repeated I fear there is an implication that those who aspire to third-level education and cannot afford it should be subsidised from (among other sources) my hard-earned pension, without having to earn it themselves. I find myself strongly opposed to that.
Let me explain why. In my formative years my family were not among the "better-off": my father's business had collapsed due to the second World War, and third-level education was way outside my reach. But I, and many others like me, had ambitions, and having obtained the best second-level education that the Christian Brothers could provide (for which I will be eternally grateful to them) we set off to find the best-paying jobs we could. In those days this meant taking the emigrant boat (no cheap air fares then). We worked hard, especially at night and weekend and by availing ourselves of adult third-level courses we succeeded in achieving our goals.
The next generation got it slightly easier, but our children went away every summer to earn their fees, and largely put themselves through college. The third generation could probably now be numbered among the aforementioned "privileged group", but it took two generations, half a century of hard work.
So - when I hear bleating about third level being the preserve of the better off, I say No. If one wants it enough and is prepared to work hard enough , it is available to many. And my advice to those who really have such ambition is to get on yer bike! - Yours, etc.,
W.J. MURPHY,
Gaybrook Lawns,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.