Government welcomes fee freeze acceptances

The decision by Massey and Canterbury universities to accept the government’s fee stabilisation offer for 2003 has been welcomed by Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey.

The government offered in the 2002 budget a 4.5 per cent funding increase per student to those providers who agree to hold their fees again next year. Two universities, 17 polytechnics, 3 colleges of education, 3 wananga and 174 private training establishments have indicated they will accept the funding offer to date.

Steve Maharey said he welcomed news that two universities have now joined the group of providers who have accepted the offer. He said was hopeful that remaining tertiary institutions would also sign up by the October 11 deadline.

“The government welcomes the news that Massey and Canterbury universities will hold their tuition fees again next year.

“Fee stablisation is good for students, who will now have the security of a third year in a row without the fee increases they suffered duing the 1990s. Fee stablisation is also one of the reasons that student numbers have been increasing since the election of the Labour-led government which, in turn, is good for institutions since it boosts their overall revenue.

“Other universities are due to decide in the next week whether they will also accept the fee stabilisation package and I am hopeful that they will do so,” Steve Maharey said.

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