Points Race Should Be Abolished

Restricting access to Higher Education makes no sense as skills and labour shortages increase.

Rise in CAO points requirements for courses confirms need for open access to Higher and Further Education

“Points race should be abolished” – restricting access to Higher Education makes no sense as skills and Labour shortages increase.

In a statement today, reacting to news that there has been a significant rise in points for most third level courses, Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD has said:

“The significant rise in the points requirement for many third level courses is further evidence of the need for completely open access to third level and further education and apprenticeships for any young person who wants to pursue education.

The points race and points requirements are illogical and counter productive barriers to people furthering their education and maximising their potential.

With very significant skills and labour shortages appearing in many sectors it is nonsensical to restrict access to third level education.

Earlier this year People Before Profit put forward a private members motion in the Dáil asking for open access and the removal of points, fees and other barriers to accessing higher education.  The government voted down our motion.

I think the fact that once again, almost half of applicants will not get their first choice, points to the fact that we need to stop gate keeping access to further education courses of all types.

Access to higher and further education should be as normal and accessible as primary and secondary education and the archaic system of the points race should be abolished along with fees and other barriers to education.”