Ógra Shinn Féin Join Mass March against Student Fees

by Educate to be Free - Ógra Shinn Féin Thu Feb 05, 2009 19:59 osnational at yahoo dot ie

Watch video and PASS ON!

Embedded Video Description: Embedded video Youtube Video

by socialist Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:06

But it's a pity that Sinn Fein has done nothing to tackle the issue of student loans/fees/debt in the North, as they and others said they would.

by socrates Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:08

Fair play to all who turned out.

However, students being against paying for fees is a bit like turkeys being against Christmas.

It's an expression of self-interest.

If students were showing up in large numbers at other protests, then that would be something remarkable.

by Jim Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:25

The economy need is business graduates, scientists, engineers, computer whizkids and other technically skilled and highly educated individuals who as soon as they walk out the door of their universities can take the lead and start up the enterprises that Ireland needs to compete in the 21st century knowledge economy.

What we don't need is a surplus of people who have a degree in English literature, Ancient Roman History, Philosophy, politics, European History or Sociology who have next to nothing in terms of real employment prospects in the real market place.

If universities could cut funding to these mickey mouse courses and pour the funding into studies that have real value in the real world then I would support it.

If you want to doss for four years learning complete BS then you should have to pay for the priviledge.

by Baggie Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:04

The dismissal of many arts degrees as of no importance is short sighted and detrimental to society as a whole. The whole Celtic Tiger experience tells us on thing – among many – that knowing the price of everything and having price of every latest brand did not do much good for the mental well being of either individuals or society.

Once a human has satisfied their basic needs of food, accommodation, etcetera it is culture that provides the cuisine for our brain.

As for the economic aspect of arts degrees [and all degrees in fact] society will benefit for the higher education of a larger section of its people. Skills today are far more about being flexible and knowing how to find answers [or even where to look for answers] as about particular practical skills [although they are vitally important as well]. The pace of change is far out stripping the syllabi of our schools and universities abilities to teach the latest technology.

Thatcher had the same attitude in the 80s and the damage done to society is still being felt today.

by Joe - Redundant Republican Fri Feb 06, 2009 19:47

Ogra Sinn Fein protest against education policy from "leinster house" but support similar policies from "stormont on the hill". Is Catherine Ruane doing a good job then?