Letter: Dearing blow to peace hope in Ulster

Sir: The seemingly inevitable imposition of further costs on to the already debt-laden students of higher education following the Dearing report will have damaging effects on the social fabric of Britain far greater than the short-term benefits to the economy.

This is particularly the case in Northern Ireland. The added financial burden on parents is greater than elsewhere because of the greater number of children per family, noticeably in the Catholic community. Middle- class parents will understandably balk at sending four or five of their offspring through university at an extra pounds 3,000 or pounds 4,000 per course. Most will see no choice but to send either none or all of their children to university.

Northern Ireland currently has the highest-achieving education system in the UK. It is no accident that this success coincides with the greatest chance of peace the province has had in its long and troubled history. In particular, universities provide the only genuinely cross-community mass institutions in Ulster. For many, time spent at university will be the only occasion they have prolonged contact with Catholics and Protestants. The universities provide an essential insight into the nature and solution of the Troubles.

I have no doubt that fee-paying will also deny many talented individuals the opportunity to achieve any challenging or worthwhile employment. It is exactly this kind of environment which will swell the ranks of the paramilitaries, and foster ignorance and bigotry on all sides.

JOHN MAY

Bristol