WELLINGTON TEACHER TRAINEES’ ASSOCIATION (INC)
TE RÖPU O NGA TAUIRA AKO O TE WHANGANUI A TARA
Thursday 21st August 2003
Media Release To all Education and Political Reporters
For immediate release
Student Teachers give better grade to fees maxima announcement
The Wellington Teacher Trainees’ Association (WTTA) today congratulated the Government on some positive steps to curb
fee increases but says that more can be done in this area.
“Student fees spiralled out of control during the 1990s and thankfully since the Labour Government came into power they
have stayed relatively level,” said Students’ Association President Greg Henderson.
“Now is not the time to take the breaks off and give the green light to institutions who want to keep this spiral
going,” said Henderson.
“Teachers are faced with huge student debts when they leave and take many years to pay off their loans,” said Henderson,
“Fee increases of 5% a year would allow this debt to get bigger and force students overseas.”
“50% of our students say that their loans will impact upon their decision to go overseas,” said Henderson. “The
Government has not done enough stem this drain on our society and our economy.”
“Today’s announcement is better news for students who feared the worst,” said Henderson. “We will be giving our council
the message that student teachers cannot afford a 5% fee increase.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Greg Henderson,
President of Wellington Teacher Trainees’ Association
Phone: 029 3253660