Bridging the Education Gap
“… to be one of the best small countries in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.” (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: 2014-2020)
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The goal of children and young people being able to realise their maximum potential should resonate with anyone who believes that a meritocratic society is one to be aimed for.
Key to delivering such a society is to make education accessible to all, ensuring young people have the resources necessary to perform to the best of their ability, irrespective of their background.
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Yet unfortunately, inequalities continue to be reflected in our education system. Only 15% of students from Dublin 17 attend higher education; for Dublin 6 that figure is 99%. On average, a child attending a disadvantaged school will perform worse than a child with the same ability who attends an advantaged school. And for students from outside Dublin who aspire to study in Trinity, a recent appraisal reckons they or their family will need to spend €56,000 over the course of their degree to make this a possibility. Unsurprisingly, this means attending Ireland’s best ranked university is unattainable for many students.
These are just some of the hurdles placed in front of young people. They are substantial, but with proper support and policy, they are not insurmountable. Approaches to bridging these education gaps need to be innovative and ambitious. My campaign is dedicated to highlighting the gaps that exist, and exploring evidence-based approaches to closing them. If you would like to join me in my campaign to tackle education inequality, please do get in touch. Because helping students reach their full potential is not just in their interest – it is in the interest of our society as a whole.