Speaking out about student fees in Northern Ireland

Speaking out about student fees in Northern Ireland.

It is that time of year again, when Leaving Certificate students begin to think about filling college forms. While CAO application forms do not have to be returned until February, the UCAS forms for the colleges in Northern Ireland are now being completed.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about the introduction of top-up fees at Universities in the six counties. I believe that the introduction of fees in these Universities is unfair and puts students, particularly those from Donegal, at a disadvantage. 

Students from counties other then Donegal are generally within easy commute of Universities in Dublin and Galway. For students in Donegal, traveling to either of these locations creates a significant burden on the student and on their families. Traveling to Universities across the border is a much shorter journey and reduces this burden

One of the arguments we hear from proponents of fees is that studying in the six counties should be treated the same as studying in other EU countries where fees would be charged.  While it may be true that going to other EU member countries to study would incur fees, studying in the North is different.

As we’ve seen over recent years, the currency in the six counties is much stronger than the Euro. This difference significantly adds to the overall expense of an education.  Adding fees to the already high cost of education will cause significant financial hardship to families.

Applications to colleges in the North have dropped significantly this year and with the introduction of fees, this trend will continue.  As fees are introduced and more students look for financially viable alternatives they naturally will look to schools in the Republic.  This in turn will create more demand for places in the Irish colleges resulting in a rise in point requirements at all the faculties.

A large area of Donegal is classified as disadvantaged and this will become even more pronounced if existing opportunities for education are put out of reach because of fees.  Families with limited income may have to choose not to send their children on for higher education.  

Although it is a different jurisdiction, there has always been a special relationship between the six counties of the North and the rest of the country. Accommodations between the two governments have been reached before in a number of areas, for example the agreement on health care resources.  Our youth are our most valuable resource and it is surely possible that the issue of fees could be resolved to the benefit of all and ensure that families have realistic alternatives for providing education to our children.

While students and families in Donegal may suffer the most as a result of the introduction of fees, all of Ireland should pay attention to this matter.  We must provide affordable education to all our children. 

Now is the time for us to act.  In the upcoming year a general election will take place and I strongly urge people from all of Ireland to voice their concern about these fees to their public representatives.  Do it today, let them know that if their voice is not heard strongly opposing these fees, your voice will be heard in the polling booth.

By: Kevin Kelly

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