Scarce third-level resources

Since it is beyond question that a child’s ultimate educational attainment is primarily formed while in primary school, and the per capita resources are continually shrinking, the now-acknowledged huge increase in births, in recent years, should cause alarm bells to ring.

Should we now question the very significant third-level resources expended on mature students, who to a large degree luxuriate on courses of a dubious value, notwithstanding being interesting, even informative.

Is it now time to reassess the priority and identify where the best long-term outcome will be achieved on the limited resources available?