Thursday 12 April
Media Release
Christchurch College of Education
Students’ Association
Attention: Education and Political reporters
Students welcome vote of confidence in colleges
“Students welcome the government’s decision to continue to protect the term college of education,” said Christin Watson,
President of the Christchurch College of Education Students Association. “We feel that Steve Maharey has listened to the
views of Colleges and students and made the right decision for the future of teacher education.”
The Tertiary Education Advisory Commission had recommended in its Shaping the System report that the name colleges of
education no longer be protected in law, that colleges be renamed “specialist institutes” and that universities should
play the leading role in teacher education.
The Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary), Steve Maharey, announced yesterday that the government would not be
proceeding with TEAC’s recommendations after students, teacher unions and Colleges of Education opposed the changes.
When the TEAC report was released, Christin Watson called on the government to reject TEAC’s recommendations for
colleges, as they did not recognise the quality, history and close relationships with schools that colleges bring to
teacher education.
“We are encouraged by the way the Minister has responded to our concerns. We hope that this useful dialogue will be
remembered when the membership of the proposed Tertiary Education Commission is finalised,” said Watson. “We feel that
student representation on the TEC would allow the constructive voice of students to continue to be heard. We have a lot
to contribute to the government’s plan for reshaping the tertiary sector.”
ENDS
For further comment contact
Christin Watson cell 021 35 36 10