Young Alliance concern for final-year student welfare during exam strike

9.55.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th May 2006

North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley

The Alliance Party's youth wing has expressed concern for the academic prospects of students whose exams have been called off due to a lecturers' strike.

North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley stated: "The bare statistics indicate that lecturers across the UK certainly have a case for better pay. But whatever the rights and wrongs of the lecturers' actions, the atmosphere among some final-year students is one of confusion and concern.

"Assurances that degrees will be awarded will not suffice for those students who have given their all to attain a specific classification. Those who need certain results for places on professional programmes or for postgraduate studies will be wondering whether the outcome will really do justice to the hard work they have put in.

"Students can have a tough time of it, fitting in extracurricular activities essential for a strong CV and part-time work to pay for their courses alongside the actual study. It is hard to know who they can turn to at this stage to ensure a fair outcome.

"One trusts lecturers will do all in their power, whatever the merit of their case, to ensure the appropriate classifications are awarded and that hard work brings due reward."

ENDS