22 October, 2004
Let University Councils Decide
New Zealand university councils should be allowed the freedom to set 2005 tuition fees at the levels necessary to
deliver quality education, Education Forum policy advisor Norman LaRocque said today.
Mr LaRocque was responding to calls from organisations, including the New Zealand University Students' Association, for
universities to limit fee tuition increases. The Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) has joined the
debate by calling on universities to "think carefully" about how much they need to increases student tuition fees.
"Quality university education costs money. University councils are far better placed than anyone else to determine how
much revenue they need to deliver on their commitment to quality education," Mr LaRocque said.
"The Minister should keep in mind that universities are already operating within a constrained fee environment given the
existence of the fee maxima policy.
"More regulation of tuition fees is the last thing the sector needs. The best way to ensure students get value for money
is to maintain a competitive tertiary education environment in New Zealand," Mr LaRocque said.
ENDS