How Do You Solve A Problem Like…..the one we are in?
- Details
- Category: The President's Blog - Mairead
- Published on Friday, 11 November 2011 19:27
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all well and I appreciate you taking the time to read a blog fuelled by passion rather than requirement.
Let me start with a problem for you to solve:
“The Budget is soon. The Irish Government have no money. Students have no money.
How do the government ensure that they can continue third level education in Ireland as we know it without increasing fees or making cuts to the grant?”
There is no easy solution to this problem. However, my biggest concern is that no one appears to be presenting a solution of any form.
Ideally we want to prevent cuts to the grant and a rise in fees, but in the context of the current economic and governmental situation, there is no denying that it will not be an easy task. I am aware there is no perfect answer to that question but ideally if we want to be part of a consultative and collaborative process that results in the best outcome for students in grim circumstances, then we must present a solution to those that will make the ultimate decision - and a unified one at that. However, there does not appear to be any options floating around as to how to solve a problem like the one we are in and that is unnerving for many reasons.
If fees are increased and grants cut, there is no denying the detrimental effects that will have on students all across the country, not to mention the external forces that will be affected. It will result in immediate drop outs, increase in the requests for leaves of absence from Colleges, a rise in emigration numbers as well as more applications for grants, student assistance and hardship funds that are already exhausted. Not to mention the long term negative effects that it would have on our culture and society.
Let’s not be so blind as to think this will only affect students. It will affect families and communities across the board. Can you imagine an Ireland where you have to choose which child is going to go to College? This might all sound very dramatic but that is the danger with short term fixes to long term problems. They end up destroying those involved in the system. I can’t but help look at the mental and emotional effects these decisions could have on people. Irelands free education system has been admired for decades and on an international scale, it would be important to maintain the few things we have that make us stand out from the rest, not destroy it. So fees and cuts will not solve this problem but in the eyes of the government, there is still no counter solution.
In terms of the loan system which has been verbally appearing in conversations across the country, it could be an option. It is by no means the ideal but it has potential. However, my greatest fear with that would be the smaller details. If the levels are not capped then who is to say that students over time would end up footing the bill for the rest of the country? Or wake up one morning soaked in the American system of colossal fees that we would be lucky to pay off before we retire? Also, this system would not address the immediate debt so it is more a long term solution, if even.
No solutions are appearing from anyone though. Worse still, no one is even admitting that. People and politicians are talking around it and I wish they would just say it. No one has all the answers. I cannot comprehend why they cannot just say “I actually don’t know how to solve a problem like the one we are in but I am willing to consult with the necessary sectors to figure out how best to tackle this issue long terms and what would be best for those affected.” Then follow it up.
If politicians could realise that we don’t expect them to know everything but we do expect honesty and consultation on the things that will affect us then we would live in the Utopia of systems. That’s exactly what happens in your College every day. Your MISU Sabbatical Officers sit on College Committees and air the views of Union Council so those making the decisions are linking in with those on the ground to do what is in their best interest. They may be of the belief that this is how our nation works but I think it is pretty clear, when people are taking to the streets that the voice of those affected are not only not being listened to but not even being consulted.
That is the core of the module “Problem Solving 101” in my opinion. You can highlight what you do not want to happen and the reasons why it shouldn’t but you need to bring an alternative to the table. You cannot just stonewall a situation as you risk an alternative decision being made without your consultation. At least if you throw out a few bearable alternatives then you can live in hope that they are taken on board and the final outcome won’t be so bleak. That’s my biggest fear at the moment anyway – being left out of the decision. The March is the way to be heard but we need to back it up with some alternative options to a rise in fees and cuts to the grant.
I don’t by any means wish to take away from the Marches significance or importance and I must commend USI on their initiative and organisation efforts on this front. If you are not making noise then there is nothing to listen to. If you remain silent you become an easy target - simple as. So it is our responsibility to make sure we do not become one. I would encourage each and every student to join in the nationwide campaign to protect your future. No one else will march for you. I am aware how difficult that is to do when you are downing in what feels like a sea of assignments but on the grander scheme of things you need to compare the importance of your feet on those streets for that one day in comparison to that one day in College.
I am aware that I have yet to put forward a solution. I truly wish I had one. We all know that the government have no money to pump into third level education but they need to understand that students do not have it either. So instead of us wasting our time throwing stones off a cliff, can we not leave all the preconceived notions at the door and have a barrier free, open, honest and frank conversation between us and them in order to reach an outcome that suits everyone? Sounds unrealistic but we are currently living in an ‘anything could happen next’ world.
Change is inevitable so that is why I think a reasonable agreement can be reached as long as we are involved in that process of change. I do not think we should just leave it to them to fix. History can confirm that.
The solution, I believe, lies with you the students, not even your Sabbatical Officers as we are just the link, we are not living and feeling what you experience on a daily basis. Only you can tell us what could work for you and we could perhaps reach a reasonable compromise. Such a process in short space of time may seem unreasonable but everything if doable if you are willing to give it priority. That is how I feel we could solve a problem like the one we are in.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on Wednesday.
Mairead