INDEPENDENT NEWS

Democrats Want Student Loan Scheme Scrapped

Published: Fri 30 Apr 2004 02:31 PM
Thursday, 29 April 2004
Democrats Want Student Loan Scheme Scrapped
Democrats believe the time has come for Government to accept the student loan scheme is an unsustainable failure, which should be scrapped.
"The capital requirements of all our tertiary institutions can and should be provided debt free, alongside the introduction of a student cost-of-living allowance" leader Stephnie de Ruyter said today.
"The only Party to consistently oppose the Student Loan policy since its inception has been the Democrat Party" Ms de Ruyter said.
"Far from being the access route to a better standard of tertiary education, student debt has become a shortcut to despair and dislocation for a growing number of New Zealanders" continued Ms de Ruyter.
"The original intent of expanding opportunities for New Zealanders has predictably resulted in a debt grip which in real terms is debilitating the skill base our economy desperately needs".
"Unless the scheme is abandoned immediately, student debt will exceed $20 billion within 15 years. Even if the interest remains at current rates, which is most unlikely, the interest accruing will see students owing in excess of $60 billion. Imposing such an impossible burden on our students is economically unsustainable and morally unjustifiable. The student loan scheme must be scrapped" concluded the Democrat Leader.
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media