Medical students will reach a new level of maturity
I foresee many problems with this system:
1. As it is suggested that students will do a primary degree in science, followed by a degree in their chosen discipline medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, etc they will not even qualify until their mid- to late-20s. They will then have to specialise, possibly reaching their 30s before finishing. This will put considerable social and financial strain on them and their families, particularly on those lower income individuals whom the Department of Education, allegedly, is attempting to encourage to pursue higher education.
2. The goals and aspirations of the current 17- to 19-year-olds will now be postponed until their mid-20s. At that stage, they will again have to compete to get into their chosen degree courses. How, and by whom, will this be determined? At least with a points system, the candidates' marks are the only relevant factors.
3. Having spent years as a visiting professor to three medical schools in Washington DC, Kansas and Texas, I am very familiar with the complaints relating to the cost and duration of medical training in the US. These students owe, on average, $60,000 to $80,000 by the time they finish their training. At least they are sure of being employed then, but this does not necessarily apply in Ireland.
4. Will the new training scheme be approved by international authorities, particularly in Britain and the US? It is not so long ago since Irish graduates could not obtain gainful employment in their chosen careers due to lack of recognition of their qualifications.
In short, the proposed system will increase the cost, pressure, tension and aggravation for parents and students alike.
Who will this system benefit and why is it being proposed?
Patrick K Fitzgerald,
'Shanid',
Model Farm Road,
Cork.
