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More students but less money
More students but less money
26th of May
The overall cut to tertiary education in this year’s budget will cause real harm to students, their families, and communities.
The government has cut the amount of money to tertiary education and yet it predicts student numbers will rise.
The small increases in funding to areas such as apprenticeships and low-level qualifications, do not make up for the harm overall funding cuts are doing to tertiary education.
NZUSA president Linsey Higgins says students are currently living in poverty.
“Students are living in slums or couch surfing from friend to friend. Students can't afford to live.”
“These cuts will force students to work more hours. It will stretch them at every point and they will continue to flood counselling services because they are exhausted from trying to make it all work.”
"This budget is toxic for students. It will stop current and potential students from accessing education."
TEU president Sandra Grey says students’ learning suffers when they are struggling to pay day-to-day bills.
“The increase in students and the cut in funding will be borne by staff having to do more with less.”
"Tertiary education staff have been papering over the gaps caused by underfunding since 2009, they can't keep making up the shortfall in funding."
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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