'Super Techs'- Robbing Peter, But Still Not Paying Paul

Amidst great fanfare, the north's Further Education Colleges have been amalgamated. However, while all the Chief Executives may be patting themselves on the back and lavishing funds on ads in Business Eye and such publications, the people who do the real work- the teachers- are still waiting for their payrise. Not only that, but it has been revealed that in some areas fees for classes have been bumped up to bring in even more money to these already cash-laden institutions (not that you would think it by the amount they spend on premises and their staff).

One of the techs where fees have risen is the Southern Regional College (a moniker that in itself is a misnomer- it doesn't operate in Cork after all, but well north of the midlands). The Deputy Chair of the Assembly Education Committee Dominic Bradley has branded the new pricing structures for some evening courses at the college as extortionate, and has said that it is effectively robbing senior citizens.

Dominic commented: "I have been inundated by calls from people right across this community complaining bitterly about these new pricing structures at the new Southern Regional College. Until this year, senior citizens, that is anyone in receipt of the state pension were entitled to a concessionary price for attending evening courses but alas this is no more.

"Under the new pricing structure introduced, a person must be in receipt of Pension Credit before they are entitled to apply for a concession. Pension credit is a top-up to the state pension, however, if for example someone paid into a company or government pension through their work and is in receipt o f a small pension, say £80 per month this could push them just over the qualifying limit and are not eligible for pension credit and therefore they are not eligible for the concession rate for courses which they were eligible for this time last year. This is effectively the means testing of recreational courses and does nothing to encourage life-long learn and every thing to discourage it.

"I believe these new price hikes are more about making money than offering recreational leisure or educational courses. In the case of many of the senior citizens who contacted me made clear the importance of these courses to them a way of extending their education and of meeting new friends whilst doing something they enjoy."

Dominic added: "I have written to the Chief Executive of the Southern Regional College expressing my deep anger and indeed abhorrence at these new prices and have asked that he review them immediately. Some course fees have increased by 400%. This is not why Pension Credit was introduced- Pension Credit gives people on a state pension a little more and should not be used by the college as a means of increasing fees to senior citizens.

"I will be raising this issue with the Minister for Employment and Learning and the Minister for Social Development as a matter of urgency."

So, Reg, yet again it is time for you to step up to the mark. You have already stated that you agree in principle that lecturers at these colleges should get a payrise- we await your delivery on this. Now you also have the task of bringing education to the people without emptying their bank accounts. The clock is ticking...