Quinn’s “no fees” pledge back to haunt him

OVER 25,000 students are expected to attend tomorrow’s Stop Fees protest in Dublin as the pressure on Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn continues to build on the issue.

Gary Redmond, the savvy head of the Union of Students in Ireland has already sent newsdesks multiple copies of those embarrassing images which show Quinn signing the pre-election pledge promising that Labour would not re-introduce fees.

But Quinn is facing pressure on another front. On Thursday last, the heads of both the universities and the institutes of technology told him bluntly there was no alternative to fees – unless he was prepared to back a cap on student numbers.

Quinn faces a real dilemma. The return of fees will enrage the Labour grassroots and unleash a ferocious response from students. But Quinn does not want to be cited as the minister responsible for the decline of the higher education system in Ireland.

Quinn knows he must build a long-term sustainable funding base for the higher education sector. But there is no money to fund a loan scheme which would, in any case, take an age to deliver significant revenue.

The choices facing Quinn are beginning to narrow; the return of fees of at least €4,000 per year – or a graduate tax for those who benefit most from higher education.

Proposals for such a tax were well advanced by Batt O’Keeffe until they were vetoed by the Greens in the last government. But they could be back on the agenda.

A graduate tax with discounts for those paying “upfront” would generate revenue and it could be defended on equity grounds. A recent OECD report pointed to the huge economic benefits which accrue to those with higher education compared to those who only complete the Leaving Cert. Better still, it would allow Quinn to maintain that third level education remains “free’’ at the point of entry which is a key Labour principle.

Is there a solution here ?

More strange practices at the VECs

The curious workings of the VECs continue to fascinate. One VEC member was complaining last week how local councillors and VEC members continue the well-paid practice of serving on interview panels for teaching posts – even though most have no teaching expertise. The system is also vulnerable to all sorts of petty corruption especially in small-time Ireland. Is it not time to ditch this outmoded practice? Teachers deserve better.

Drive-by inspections

The Department of Education is planning more of those “unannounced’’ inspections of teachers. We hear teachers have already labelled them as “drive by’’ inspections!

Fianna Fáil raises its game on education

Is Fianna Fáil raising its game (at last) on education issues?

Certainly, Senator Averil Power, a former advisor to Mary Hanafin in the Department of Education, is taking a more central role. Power – who was taught by Hanafin in Sion Hill, Blackrock – has much to say about the education system. She is well-informed, knowledgable and high profile.

By contrast, Brendan Smith – the party spokesman on education – has been very low key since his appointment.

Got any education gossip? e-mail teacherspet@irishtimes.com or sflynn@irishtimes.com