Student Teachers give better grade to fees maxima

WELLINGTON TEACHER TRAINEES’ ASSOCIATION (INC)

TE RÖPU O NGA TAUIRA AKO O TE WHANGANUI A TARA

Thursday 21st August 2003

Media Release To all Education and Political Reporters

For immediate release

Student Teachers give better grade to fees maxima announcement

The Wellington Teacher Trainees’ Association (WTTA) today congratulated the Government on some positive steps to curb fee increases but says that more can be done in this area.

“Student fees spiralled out of control during the 1990s and thankfully since the Labour Government came into power they have stayed relatively level,” said Students’ Association President Greg Henderson.

“Now is not the time to take the breaks off and give the green light to institutions who want to keep this spiral going,” said Henderson.

“Teachers are faced with huge student debts when they leave and take many years to pay off their loans,” said Henderson, “Fee increases of 5% a year would allow this debt to get bigger and force students overseas.”

“50% of our students say that their loans will impact upon their decision to go overseas,” said Henderson. “The Government has not done enough stem this drain on our society and our economy.”

“Today’s announcement is better news for students who feared the worst,” said Henderson. “We will be giving our council the message that student teachers cannot afford a 5% fee increase.”

ENDS

For more information contact:
Greg Henderson,
President of Wellington Teacher Trainees’ Association
Phone: 029 3253660

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