Hon Bill English National Education Spokesman
23 November 2004
Schools suffer as intl’ students look elsewhere
A significant drop in international students will bite hard on secondary school budgets, says National’s Education
spokesman, Bill English.
“An informal survey carried out by my office shows that many schools are predicting a drop in international student
numbers of between 30 and 50%,” he says.
“These schools stand to lose up to $200,000. This funding cut will likely lead to cuts in staff numbers and even more
fees and fundraising for parents.” Last year, international students generated close to $113 million in extra revenue
for schools. “Larger secondary schools may maintain their numbers, but most schools, which have less than 50
international students, will be hit hard,” says Mr English.
“Schools have been waiting and hoping that enough international students will show up, but now they are forced to redo
their budgets based on reduced numbers and it’s not a pretty picture.”
“International students have provided schools with extra money to give them flexibility and the ability to provide
educational opportunities that aren’t available through the Government’s limited operations grants.
“The decline in international student numbers will put further pressure on schools that are already struggling to
make-up funding shortfalls and more pressure on Labour to increase school funding in the election year budget,” says Mr
English.
ENDS