Quality of college-goers ‘more important than quantity’

THE Government should focus more on ensuring students with high academic ability get into college than packing almost three-quarters of school leavers into third-level, the president of University College Cork has claimed.

The current target of 72% participation in higher education by 2020 is well on its way towards delivery, with around two-thirds of those of school leaving age currently going to college. Around €500 million more every year will be needed to reach the target, which will not come from tuition fees in the lifetime of the current government.

But aside from the financial implications, UCC president Dr Michael Murphy believes the quality rather than the quantity of students should be the focus.