THE debate is on: should places be set aside at universities for pupils from state schools, who are ‘not quite up’ to standard?

The argument is, if we don’t set any aside, then the universities will become places of and for the elite.

Well! That’s what they should be. We need them to teach the cream; their intake of new students to be only of the best, for these places have an immense influence on our future.

Universities are the hot house for our scientists, engineers, scholars, thinkers and in some cases, our politicians.

So, yes, it’s vital they select the best of the entrants, no matter where they come from or what school they attended.

Manipulating or adjusting the education system at university entrance age to rectify past poor education is not an answer.

We must ensure all children get a good education from the moment they start school, as the ability to make the grade and have a chance starts right there and then, if they are to compete on equal terms and not just because they were ‘unfortunate’ enough to have attended a state school.

During recent decades the lowering of standards has been shown not to work.

Being academic is not the ‘be all’ and there are many skills to foster.

We must remember that manual work is not only as valuable to society, but, in many cases, vital. The notion that university is the only way, must stop and proper respect be given to other trades and occupations.

Calling all supermarket shoppers! We should take a firm and concentrated stand not to use the self-service tills, ever, for if we do, we are not only depriving someone of a job, but we’re contributing to the depersonalisation of shopping.

For many people living alone, going shopping is a way of meeting people and of actually talking to someone.

Now, if we’re not careful that will soon be lost. The big stores are very greedy and make huge profits.

Not only do we have to serve ourselves, they now want us to check ourselves out too.

Recently an acquaintance of mine applied for a job, but got a letter back saying ‘sorry, there are no suitable positions available’, so he wrote back saying, in that case, he was ‘quite prepared to take an unsuitable one’.

They gave him the job he originally applied for!