Remarks by UCC President are Arrogant and Elitist

Remarks by UCC President are Arrogant and Elitist


Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has hit out at remarks by the President of UCC Dr Michael Murphy, who has claimed that widening access to third level has been at the expense of the education provided to top students.



Deputy O’Brien said:



“The remarks by the President of UCC display a breath-taking arrogance and elitism. He appears to see third level education as existing solely to serve what he calls “the top 2% to 5% of performers” and to dismiss those he would consider weaker students from consideration.”



“He claims that efforts to improve access to higher education have led to declining standards and a flight of top students from the country, without providing a shred of evidence to prove his case.”



“The reality is we need to do more to improve access to further education, not less. Currently the participation rate in third level on the Northside is only 7%. Is Dr Murphy saying people from working class areas of the city should be permanently denied the opportunity to go on to third level?”



“There is certainly an increasing pressure on third level education in Ireland, with student numbers rising at the same time as staff numbers are being reduced. But rather than hit out at disadvantaged students for the failures of the education system, Dr Murphy should be laying the blame where it belongs – on government cutbacks.”



“He might also want to look closer to home. With the highest salary of any university president, at €232,151, perhaps he should show leadership by taking a voluntary pay-cut and ploughing the money saved back into the university.”



For further information or comment contact Jonathan O’Brien TD @ 086-0274142