Media Release
For immediate release
Key Gags Students
Polytechnic students are today angered and surprised by yesterday’s removal of their guaranteed student representation
on polytechnic councils.
Polytechnic students have had a seat on their institutions’ councils reserved by law for a student representative. The
Polytechnics Amendment Bill passed yesterday has removed community, staff - and slipped into the legislation at the last
minute - student representation.
“Students are the prime stake holders in tertiary institutions, if it wasn’t for yesterday’s events it would be
laughable that any government would remove student representatives from polytechnic councils” said Meegan Cloughley,
OPSA president.
“Students clearly have a right to have a seat at the table that decides their fees, the policies of the institution, and
the quality of teaching. Removing student voice is stepping back to last century.” said Ms Cloughley.
“The government look increasingly like they are silencing students’ voices, this can only be because they do not want
students’ voices to be heard - or to be taken into account in decision making.” said Ms Cloughley.
“Students as prime stakeholders should not only have a right to a voice in governance, but student representation is
fundamental in managing the quality of teaching, learning and the learning environment, and provides institutions with
useful student feedback.” said Ms Cloughley.
“These changes are not just grave for student voice, but they set polytechnics up for far greater government
interference. Rationalisation and centralisation will lead to mergers and closures of polytechnics and courses that will
cost many local communities dearly” warned Ms Cloughley.
ENDS