Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
One more week to save services
One more week to save services
Students have one more week to make their voices heard and help save their services.
Submissions on Roger Douglas’ Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill close at the end of March 31st. The submissions and the Bill will then be considered by the Education and Science select committee over April and May.
“Roger Douglas’ voluntary student membership(VSM) bill threatens the services, representation, and experience students currently receive on campus. The quality of education for hundreds of thousands of tertiary students all around the country is being put at risk,” says NZUSA co-President David Do.
“When we visited campuses around the country this month, we clearly saw that students, staff, and institutions value the work their associations do everyday,” said Do.
Australia’s VSM experience shows what the Douglas bill
means for tertiary education. Despite $120m extra government
funding, important student association services were
devastated – welfare,
representation, advocacy, clubs
and societies, sports, and other aspects of student
life.
Quality was further compromised because tertiary institutions were forced to divert funding from teaching and research budgets to sustain services already provided by students’ associations.
“We urge students to use their voice on this issue. Students need to let the Committee know they want to save their services from this Bill - because the students’ voice will be silenced, services to students will be lost, and the cost to students will be massive,” says NZUSA co-President Pene Delaney.
Students can go to the Save Our Services website (http://www.saveourservices.org.nz/online-submission.html) to make a submission or go to the Parliament website (click ‘Select Committees’ then ‘Education and Science’).
NZUSA is the national representative body for tertiary students and has been advocating on student issues since 1929.
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.
Gordon Campbell: On The Hikoi Aftermath
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
Helen Clark Foundation: Helen Clark Foundation Calls For Political Action To Reduce The Prevalence Of Junk Food And Improve Health Outcomes
Justice Committee: Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill
Infrastructure New Zealand: Single Agency Needed To Coordinate Climate Adaptation And Recovery
Free Speech Union: Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill Likely To Restrict Access To Information, Polling Shows Most Oppose
Auckland Transport: Driver Safety Screens Now Rolling Out Across Auckland’s Bus Fleet
