Student leaders at Auckland have reacted in anger at the government's
policy announcements on tertiary education today, titled 'Five
Steps Ahead'.

"'Five Steps Ahead' is nothing more than rhetoric and a branding
and marketing exercise in election year. It is shallow, badly
thought through and completely misses the critical issues in
the sector. It is merely tinkering at the sides of a sector
in crisis", said Auckland University Students Association President
Efeso Collins.

"Once again, the government has failed to address the real issues
in tertiary education. The Government wants to have a knowledge
based economy overnight without putting in the legwork. What
they should be addressing is rising fees, inadequate staffing
levels, the lack of universal living allowances and runaway
student debt - currently at $3 Billion."

The funding announcements today are

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