Sir, – I refer to "'Snob value' pushing school-leavers to universities, says academic" (December 9th), which included comments attributed in error to me, and a related letter to the editor from Mary Toomey (December 13th).
The comments attributed to me were made to an Oireachtas committee addressing the Cassells report. The tenor was that students who are totally unsuited to higher education were being shoehorned into universities by their parents due to a snob value over apprenticeships and other training.
I really feel I have arrived in higher education when I am mistaken for someone of the high academic standing of Prof John Hegarty, the former provost of Trinity College, who in fact made the remarks.
I agree with the sentiments expressed and those of Mary Toomey in her follow-up letter to the editor.
I feel, however, I should acknowledge the oracle and provide some personal clarification given the association of my name.
I have two daughters who are very grateful for their fine education in Trinity. They are graduates in history of art and philosophy and history and English, respectively. Their course was as suited to their needs, as my courses in UCD in law and commerce were to mine. I do, however, harbour a sneaking envy for their education when my leisure reading brings me to history and poetry. I am deeply indebted to UCD for its arts faculty’s insistence that we commerce utilitarians study at least one humanising arts subject. My choice was history,
I think parents persuade their sons and daughters to go to university for many reasons, be they a liberal arts education, a contact network or, in the case of the limited few, because they can afford to pay for the years of fun and the time in which they will learn to think and socialise. It’s not all snob value but there are times when students are shoehorned into an unsuitable course. What parents must ask is what learning style and what learning setting are most suited to their son or daughter. Does he or she best learn by doing, arriving at how it works in theory from out of how it works in practice? Does he or she flourish in a small class? Does he or she need continuous close stimulation from teachers? Is he or she a gregarious creature who flourishes in large groups or someone who makes deep and lasting friendships in a tightknit setting? Assess your son and daughter and advise accordingly.
With regard to the snob value question, do rest assured that in the new regime of training contracts and apprenticeships, there will be parity of academic esteem. He or she will be able to ascend to the highest academic level in our national qualifications framework, should that be their wish.
Good luck with your advice, parents. It is arguably the most important you will give in your lifetime. – Yours, etc,
Prof DIARMUID
HEGARTY,
President,
Griffith College,
South Circular Road,
Dublin 8.