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New Funding Welcomed, Fairer Fees System Still Nee
New Funding Welcomed, Fairer Fees System Still Needed
Students are welcoming today’s announcement for new public money for the polytechnic sector and wananga, but remind government that student fees must be addressed as part of the new funding regime.
“Public tertiary institutions, particularly polytechnics, have been starved of funding for their core business for too long,” said Joseph Randall, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), which represents students in the Polytechnic and University sector. “Students and institutions alike will welcome the greater certainty of the three year funding system. The funding increase is a good start to bringing polytechnics out of the red although given the current financial situation of many institutions this may not prove enough.”
“However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty around student fees,” said Randall. “Kiwi tuition fees are some of the highest in the world, and have continued to grow well ahead of inflation. The new funding system should also plan to bring fees down with greater levels of public investment.”
NZUSA is concerned that tuition fees are the poor cousin of the review of funding policies. Randall said that it was good news that funding levels and quality of courses were being addressed through the Investment Plan process, but that the tertiary system was still based on unfair expectations on students and their families.
“Quality and relevance need to be balanced by equal access to tertiary education. If government has greater certainty that it is funding quality, relevant courses, it needs to start lifting the fees burden off students.”
ENDS
NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations
We stand for opportunity, for all.
NZUSA is the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, the national body that represents New Zealand's students' associations and the interests of New Zealand's 400,000 students at universities, polytechnics and in trades training.
We conduct original research, advocate to Government and through the media, and support New Zealand's students' associations to be more effective on behalf of their members. We advocate alongside Te Mana Akonga – The National Māori Students' Association, and Tertiary Women New Zealand – The NZUSA Women's Caucus.
Since 1929, we've believed in a society rich in opportunity, where anyone from anywhere can become any thing. We support accessible, affordable quality public tertiary education.
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