Neeson hails 'new era' for students

The Stormont Executive wants to work with student leaders to make further and higher education more representative of all sections of society, Sean Farren said today.

The SDLP Higher and Further Education minister told the NUS/USI’s conference in Belfast his proposals for student finance were designed to open up access to third level education.

The minister insisted his student package ‘‘heralded a new era for students in Northern Ireland which will benefit those most in need within our society.’’

The plan which involves the abolition of tuition fees for some students, the introduction of childcare grants as well as bursaries for the less well off and an increase in the number of student places would make third level education more accessible, he said.

However, the minister lamented he could not go as far as he would have liked.

His department was operating ‘‘in a world of finite resources,’’ with higher and further education having to compete with health, schools and transport for funds.

‘‘I have made no secret of the fact that I would have wished to go much further than I have,’’ he said.

‘‘However, it is my duty as minister to come forward with proposals which have careful regard to affordability and the need to ensure that any additional resources are targeted on clear and pressing priority areas.

‘‘This has meant that options such as abolishing the loan-based system or the complete abolishment of fees were not real options at this time.’’

The Higher and Further Education Minister said he wanted the completion of the review to mark the beginning of ‘‘a new period of partnership’’ between Government and the student body.

In particular, he wanted to ensure there was increased participation from those under-represented in the past in third level education.

‘‘We must facilitate the entry or re-entry into the education market of everybody and I believe that we must specifically single out for assistance people who have been denied such access in the past,’’ he told the NUS/USI conference in the Wellington Park Hotel.

‘‘The issue of access is a shared concern across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

‘‘Much research is already under way on the barriers to access and initiatives to promote access in Ireland and elsewhere. I wish to explore these matters in a wider context.’’

Mr Farren said his officials were working closely with the NUS/USI and the two Northern Ireland universities on ways of promoting accessibility in third level education.

He also stressed the importance of a ‘‘genuine and equal partnership’’ between Government, education, the private sector and student body - particularly in addressing the skills demands of industry through further and higher education.

‘‘We must create flexibility within our institutions which will enable us to meet the skills needs of our ever evolving economy,’’ he said.

‘‘We must facilitate a worklife balance, accommodate those who wish to study part-time and online, embrace new technologies and genuinely promote lifelong learning as a working and practical concept available to all.’’