National Campaign – Phase II
Where are we now?
After the first successful pre-budget USI National Campaign in quite some time, it would be remiss of us to park this to one side and consider that box ticked. The momentum must now be used as a motivating factor to continue on the battle for a Higher Education system that is accessible to all, regardless of social or financial circumstances.
The next Budget is under a year away and USI is committed to developing an economically sound argument for free education with the NERI. Furthermore, we recently committed to looking at widespread reform of the maintenance grant at National Council.
All we will be missing is the philosophical argument.
We have been missing it ourselves for quite a few years. It was extremely positive to have a module on free education at SUT as I think it allowed everyone to buy into something. Let us not forget the people who tried to steer USI away from this core value in 2012, under the despicable preferendum exercise. We need to be a loud and proud about our stance on higher education funding.
Why is this needed?
Nobody discusses the merits of Third Level Education in the public sphere. Why is it any surprise that there is absolutely no value for it in Irish society if the endless benefits aren’t ever talked about? I was appalled by the complete lack of knowledge and apathy displayed by some of the TDs I lobbied in the run up to the budget. Third Level Education only ever receives the spotlight in lieu of efficiency seeking and when fees are rising.
Nobody talks about how it’s transcendental, about how it’s the answer to so many of our problems – tackling inequality, crime rates, poor healthcare, an more active citizenship. The classic no-brainer (excuse the pun!).
During the pre-budget lobbying phase, two Fine Gael TDs in the space of two days asked me where I stood on the idea of student loans so there is every chance that this is going to be their plan post-2015. With it looking increasingly likely that they will form the majority of the next government, we need to act now to ensure that our members, the public and the media don’t jump on this bandwagon.
We also know that the HEA have submitted a sustainability report into the Department of Finance, suggesting possible funding mechanisms post-2015. State funded education doesn’t feature as any of the options.
What do we need to do?
We need to start the conversation before anyone else. The next phase of our National Campaign should also form the prerequisite to the next one. The primary objective of this side of the campaign should be to heighten society’s appreciation for Third Level Education and all of the benefits we know that it brings to both society and the individual. We need people to realize that it’s not a tough decision to make between an open, accessible and free education system (a no-brainer) and where we are surely headed under the current status quo (no brains).
How do we do this?
- Highlight the serious deficiencies in all other funding mechanisms, publicly and fearlessly.
- Demonstrate the value of a thorough college experience, how people meet new friends, develop new skills and the ability to think for themselves in an enriched environment. Everyone should be able to experience this.
- Demonstrate that opponents of free education were around when times were good. Also, that said opponents are pushing an ideological argument, not an economic one. An ideological argument that is content with higher crime rates, inequality, lower participation in democracy etc. Name these people, shame these people to the point where they are akin to creationists or opponents of climate change research.
- Show how a basic Leaving Certificate is not even nearly enough for a job anymore and how there is ever growing evidence that the same can be said for a Level 8 degree. The economy has changed over the last few decades, so must our education system.