Consumer of an Education

The word 'consumption' refers to the use of final goods until disposal. Can we use this analogy to describe the Irish education system? Are we, the students, consumers of this service that is provided for us-a third level education?

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn believed it was a suitable analogy to avail of during his recent address at the University of Limerick. Minister Quinn visited the university as part of the Issues in Irish Media Seminar Series, organised by the BA Journalism and New Media course.

A debate followed both during the seminar and in class during the week as to whether students are indeed 'consumers' of a service in Ireland. A Sociology lecturer at the university argued that students are citizens, not consumers in a marketplace.

I believe we are consumers.

We are paying for an education-a service provided to educate us in our chosen fields. Minister Quinn explained that his analogy placed emphasis on the fact that students should be critical of their education and how it is delivered to them, quite like a consumer would be critical of the service they receive from a mechanic, doctor, electrician or caterer.

Minster Quinn said that he expects a response from the user, not necessarily a negative response, but one that could assist in improving and developing the service we receive. He said there should be a way to hold lecturers to account. He would leave the sanctions, if necessary, to the institution itself.

I agree that we are consumers of this service. You would expect to be receiving some sort of service paying €2000 a year for it, having been promised a free third-level education.

But why mention the "new idea" of making lecturers accountable for their actions? We can do this already.  

There are services in every university for people to use to either praise or complain about an educator in the institution. Why mention the possibility of creating a new layer of administration in the Department of Education for a service that is already provided to students? Does Minister Quinn believe more students would hold lecturers accountable if the word went straight to the central government as opposed to being able to deal with the problem first-hand at the institution?

The ability to hold lecturers accountable is there. If anyone wants to hold anyone accountable for their actions in a university context there is always a way.

We may be consumers Minister Quinn, and with that I agree, but with that comes the expectation to get the most for our money. We don't need the government's permission. If we wish to hold someone accountable, we can and we will.

Is this a man's world?

Women presidents we may have had, but a female-dominated Dáil is something we would not dare to dream of. It is embedded in Ireland's political life that it is a male-dominated sphere, a job for the men, a man's world. It is presumed that it takes a "tough cookie" of a woman to deal with the testosterone-smothered world of politics. Phyllida Lloyd's recent film The Iron Lady on the life of Margaret Thatcher, the first and only female Prime Minister of the UK, further emphasises this thought. 

But perhaps a change is a-coming for our Emerald Isle. Last year 25 women were elected to the Dáil in February's General Election out of a total of 166 TDs. A pathetic number it may seem, but it constitutes 15% of the Irish government, the highest percentage ever achieved in Irish politics. The number of Independents voted into the government proved that people may be voting for the individual and their political cause as opposed to the party. This trend could easily influence the number of women voted into the Dáil. It may seem that, finally, the female voice is being listened to. 

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But it shouldn't have taken this long. It is more than ninety years since Irish women have paced the streets in a fight for suffrage and the civil right for an Irish woman to vote. With our 15% figure we rank a pathetic 22nd out of 27 of our EU neighbours, regarding our percentage of women TDs in government. We are a long run behind Sweden in the gender-equality race as they hold gold medal for 45% of their government being female representatives. The lowest, Malta, with only 8% of their government being female, can quite easily see the back of our Irish archaeic-minded running shoes.

Maybe 2012 looks like a more promising year for the fight to gender equality in the Dáil. Minister for Environment Phil Hogan published a Bill in December last, ensuring that women make up 30% of the candidates for the next general election. Parties will have to ensure 30% of their party is made up of women and failure to comply will result in a loss of State funding. An incentive to try, if nothing else. 

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Ms Kathleen Lynch TD has taken this opportunity to organise a conference in Dublin Castle this January, 20th entitled, "How To Elect More Women". The open day only requires registration and will consist of a few first-hand stories from women in politics, a key-note speaker and a few words from the round table.

Two reports, a bill and a conference later, there should surely be a solution to the problem. 

Political culture is difficult to change. This was evident in the pre-recession Irish passion in voting for political parties according to one's family traditions and historical context. A change in attitude is needed. Hopefully if there are more women presenting themselves as candidates, there will be more interest in listening to them and electing them. 

I sincerely hope that post-this January 20th there will be a change in Ireland's politics that can only move towards a more positive, gender-equalised political culture.