by Kathy Masterson
A LIMERICK asylum seeker who received 575 points in her Leaving Cert exams last week has been offered a free college place and financial assistance with accommodation and living expenses in Dublin.
Anna Kern (19), a student of Coláiste Nano Nagle in Sexton Street, came to Ireland from Ukraine two years ago and lives in the Knockalisheen direct provision centre.
There were fears that her dream of studying physiotherapy in the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin would not come true because neither Anna nor her mother could afford the €17,000 a year tuition fee.
Anna currently lives with her mother, Lyudmyla, brother Andriy (13) and sister Olga (10) in one room in the Knockalisheen direct provision centre.
Asylum seekers are not permitted to work, and are treated as international students with regard to third level education, meaning they are not entitled to grants or free tuition.
However, this week the Royal College of Surgeons stepped in to offer Anna a place on its physiotherapy course free of charge, and will cover her accommodation costs in Dublin.
It is believed that the assistance offered by the college will exceed €100,000 over the course of Anna’s degree programme.
Anna’s former school principal, Marion Cummins, told the Limerick Post: “Anna’s been offered a place outside the CAO system so of course she’s going to accept that. The college is going to look after her accommodation and help with her living expenses as well.
“It’s been an amazing story really. It’s incredible for a girl who is living in direct provision. It’s a complete life changer for her. Anna is a very bright student, very humble and unassuming. Please God she’s on her way now.”
Anna told a national newspaper last week that she studied at a table in the corner of the room for up to five hours each evening, as the rest of her family attempted to stay as quiet as possible.
“The situation was very hard but if you want to do something with your life you have to educate yourself like everyone else – I just want to be able to pay for myself in the future,” she said.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan announced last week that a scheme will be introduced to provide free fees to students who have been in direct provision for at least five years.
However, Ms Cummins said that these measures are not enough.
“Five years is forever in the life of a student, I think that needs to be looked at. Principals of schools need to be pushing this to ensure that their students are treated justly and fairly. I know asylum seekers can’t work, but if they’re accepted into schools here, then there should certainly be a bridge between school and third level,” she commented.
Limerick migrant rights organisation Doras Luimní said: “There are many young people in Direct Provision who attend secondary schools in Limerick and throughout Ireland who have a lot to contribute if granted the opportunity. Effective reform must take place at national level and we hope to see change in this regard without delay.”
