USI Calls For Reassurance For Leaving Cert Students

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has extended its well wishes to Leaving Cert students on the beginning of their exams today.

Approximately 60,000 Leaving Certificate candidates will begin their exams, taking the next step towards their future careers.

These students are the future of Ireland’s smart economy, and steps must be taken by the Government to ensure that they are given the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity and recovery of our economy in the future.

USI is calling on Minister Ruairi Quinn, who last week refused to rule out an increase in college fees, to honour the commitment he made to thousands of students and families across the country, so that those starting their exams today can be reassured their hard work over the past few months will not have been in vain.

John Logue, USI Deputy President, said: “USI would like to wish all those sitting their exams the very best of luck. As these students bring one chapter of their lives to a close, and begin another chapter, we hope that they would do so with excitement and anticipation. However, one has to wonder how many of these students will be prevented from progressing onto Higher Education in September due to cuts to the maintenance grant and the prospect of even higher fees.”

Mr Logue added: “Many students and their families voted for Minister Ruairí Quinn as he signed a USI pledge not to increase the registration fee or introduce an alternative student contribution. Since the Minister indicated last week that he is willing to break this pledge, we have been inundated with calls from Leaving Cert students and their families, who are extremely concerned about being able to afford to go to college in September.”

He concluded: “We live in a time when a job can go wherever there is an Internet connection. Ireland is competing for jobs with the rest of the world and we require a highly skilled workforce in order to maintain our edge in the marketplace. The Government must therefore encourage people to participate in Higher Education rather than close the door on them.

“USI is calling on Minister Quinn to keep the promise he made to students and their families. Any deviation from this promise would equate to a gross misleading of young people and their families by the Labour Party.”

(BMcN)