Value-for-money approach to tertiary ed required

Value-for-money approach to tertiary education required

“The ‘value-for-money work on sub-degree tertiary education provision’[1] announced today by Minister of Education Trevor Mallard is needed”, said Darel Hall Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.

“It is good to see that this work includes a focus on overlapping provision between Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) and providers including Polytechnics, PTEs and Wananga where courses ‘appear to be subsidised at a level that well exceeds the cost of provision’[2]. This should lead to a strategic view of the system rather than a response that shifts problems in the short term and penalises one section of learners disproportionately.

“It is worth remembering that value-for-money does not always mean less investment in a course or courses. There are good arguments for more intensive investment in diverse parts of the tertiary sector precisely to deliver better value for money.

“Officials have advised successive Ministers about the risks of overlapping provision since 1995. It is good to see investigation and action on a tight time frame”, said Darel Hall.

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