College of education fees and grants
Fees at colleges of education will rise from £300 to £390 in 1980–81; about 45 per cent of students received grants in both 1978–79 and 1979–80. The Minister defended the fees, citing the included board and accommodation, available grants and loans, and denying that means caused hardship or exclusion.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the recent instruction to the colleges of education to increase student fees, and the percentage of students in such colleges currently in receipt of some form of grant assistance, with similar figures for 1979.
Comment on this
The fees for students in the colleges of education will be £390 in 1980-81 as compared with £300 in the current academic year. This fee covers not alone tuition but also board and accommodation.
In the present school year 1979-80 approximately 45 per cent of the students in the colleges are in receipt of grants. The percentage in the school year 1978-79 was also about 45 per cent.
Comment on this
Would the Minister not agree that the £90 increase is a harsh additional burden for students in these colleges to bear and that the need to bring students into these colleges especially from the less privileged sectors of our society to teach children who may be equally disadvantaged should indicate special treatment in relation to their fee structure?
Comment on this
The value for money obtained by the students in the training colleges is second to none not merely in this country but in Europe. Apart from the 45 per cent who are in enjoyment of third-level grants there is a loan scheme available to students, unlike those in other institutions, of which they may avail. There is no hardship or exclusion of anybody on grounds of means.