Sir Bob Salisbury appearing before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminister in March made the comment that it was an ‘enduring myth’ that Northern Ireland had one of the best education systems in Europe.
Although this is hotly disputed by Ian Paisley who sits on the committee and whose party the DUP are directly responsible for this sad state of affairs. Sir Bob’s comments have been completely validated by the publication of a research paper from the Institute of Labor Economics, ‘The Political Economy of a Northern Ireland Border Poll’. In the section titled, ‘The Distribution of Human Capital’ the papers authors, Professor Seamus McGuinness and Dr Adele Bergin paint a gloomy picture of our failing education system. They examine educational attainment in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2000 and again in 2015. It makes for grim reading. In 2000 Northern Ireland had by far the largest population share with basic or no qualifications of 30.5 per cent and compared to an average across Great Britain regions of 20.1 per cent. At the upper end of the spectrum, Northern Ireland also had the lowest share of individuals holding post-secondary qualifications and only the North East of England had a lower share of graduates. Compared to the Republic of Ireland in 2000 Northern Ireland’s population share with basic or no qualifications was over 10 percentage points higher. The area that Northern Ireland most resembled then was just across the border, the least prosperous part of the Republic.
By 2015 although the levels of educational attainment had risen across the board Northern Ireland’s relative position remained unchanged compared to Great Britain regions. Northern Ireland still had the highest population share with basic or no qualifications and was the poorest performer in terms of graduates. Relative to the Republic of Ireland, 2015 also saw a substantial deterioration , with Northern Ireland far exceeding the population share with basic or no qualifications and relative to 2000, a large deficit in the share holding post secondary qualifications.
What a sad state of affairs and what a betrayal of our young people especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and for whom education should be a life line. So much for the DUP’s claims about our world-class education system.
JIM CURRAN
Downpatrick, Co Down
‘Understanding and empathy’ nothing more than condescension
In an ideal world every pregnancy would result in a healthy child, born to loving parents able to give it a comfortable and happy life. That Utopia would also treat all life as equal and precious. In such circumstances I would be an avid pro-lifer. Reality is much more complex and attempting to legislate for the circumstances around each pregnancy is as futile as attempting to have a “one hat fits all solution” (the pro-life stance).
I have consistently attacked the national and international volume of abortions which result in approx 40 million terminations every year.
Those who subscribe to this paper claiming the ‘pro-life’ moniker have never offered any suggestion which would reduce the incidence of this stain on humanity. Some have demeaned my call for the Catholic Church to annul its ban on contraception, despite its widespread and unobstructed use here in affluent Ireland. But it is not in Ireland that the Church needs to be pro-active, but in places like poverty stricken sub Saharan Africa (where there would be additional benefit of reducing Aids).
Of course my suggestion is not a panacea for abortion but it does show that there are ways of reducing its volume, if there is a will.
Denying or ignoring such ideas serves only to highlight the double standards of those like Gerard Herdman (August 14) who offer no suggestion to diminish the very thing they claim to be so keen to eradicate.
Gerard Herdman’s “understanding and empathy” is nothing more than condescension as his sentiments will hardly prove comforting to the woman (and man) suffering a fatal foetal abnormality (or similar tragedy).
DANNY TREACY
Templepatrick, Co Antrim
Republican thinking has moved on
Sean O’Fiach – ‘SF accepts British rule as legitimate and denounces anyone who opposes it’ (August 1) – does what he is accustomed to – browbeating the Republican movement.
He reminds me of loyalist thinking – not an inch.
I believe that our republican thinking has moved on. It is moving from, as they say, poetry to prose.
Loose thinking is a sort of ‘comfort blanket’ that keeps one away from the tough realities that confront our people today.
To me republicans are meeting the ex-agencies of today that citizens have in their day-to-day lives. Not in a “follow the crowd” citizens advice bureau thing but being relevant to citizens.
To get local, Mr O’Fiach, I condemn the murder of Lyra McKee and the attempted ghettoisation of Creggan by thugs. It is a bad day when those behind “closed curtains’ and afraid are our people, scared of gangsters posturing as republicans.
MANUS McDAID
Derry City
Where will Brexit story end?
Michael Gove recently visited Warrenpoint Port for a photo opportunity to reassure his supporters back home. Makes me compare him to J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of White Star, owners of the Titanic.
“Let’s built this magnificent ship, it will be the biggest and fastest ever, it will take us to America the promised land. We won’t be under the dictatorship of anyone. Donald Trump will listen to us and do what we say.”
The ship set sail.
“We have loosened the anchor of Europe, our captain Boris will lead us on a smooth and safe journey. Never mind those Remoaners below deck, they lost the vote, they no longer have a say. Oh but what is this, an iceberg?
“Look out, we shout from below deck. Change course before it’s to late.
“Don’t worry smiling captain Boris says, the ship is unsinkable and anyway we have the lifeboats, those below deck are expendable, we don’t need anyone who is not with us. Soon we will be in Nirvana .’
Where will the story end?
Will we get the long overdue investment, secure jobs to enhance our quality of life?
Or will we hit the iceberg ?
JIM BOYLAN
Warrenpoint, Co Down
