Murphy backs ASTI call for ‘open access’ for students to third-level education

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has backed the ASTI’s call for students to have open access to third level education.

The Dublin South-West TD was speaking after sixth year students around the country called on the Minister for Education Norma Foley to implement a hybrid Leaving Certificate examination this year.

Students say that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, their studies have been severely disrupted and a calculated grading system should once again be used to determine the final grades.

The ASTI – the union for secondary school teachers – has called for every student to have a guaranteed place in third level education next year, which has been support by Deputy Murphy.

He said: “The ASTI are absolutely correct to call for open access to third-level education as the fairest way to address the crisis facing Leaving Cert 2022.

“People Before Profit have long been calling for open access, which would see investment so that every student guaranteed a place in third level, and end the Leaving Cert points rat race with all it unnecessary stress and class inequalities.

“This year’s Leaving Cert students have had massive disruption to their studies over the last two years.

“They cannot simply be forced to sit do the ‘normal’ Leaving Cert as if nothing had happened.

“Even without the disruptions of Covid, we know three quarters of students report ‘extreme stress’ from the Leaving Cert, with 57% reporting physical or mental illness as a result.

“This has to change, and open access is really the only fair and practicable solution.”