Tertiary Sector underfunding to affect students

29/5/2008
Press Release
Attention: All Political and Education Reporters
For Immediate Release

"Tertiary Sector underfunding to affect students directly”

Waikato students are disappointed today with the Government’s Budget, following the announcement that the main funding categories in tertiary education will not be guaranteed to increase in real terms over the coming few years and that $98 million dollars worth of Scholarships will be slashed. While acknowledging a 1.95% (below predicted inflation level) funding adjustment in 2010, students have been left in the dark over tertiary funding beyond next year.

Waikato Students’ Union President Ben Delaney says he is disappointed in the lack of foresight given by yesterday’s budget announcement. “This signals a lack of commitment to a nation’s positive future.”

“The cut in funding to tertiary institutions in terms of an adjustment below the CPI will have a direct effect on domestic fee rises later on this year. This will once again turn the lack of government investment in the future of society into student debt this at a time when students are finding it difficult due to the recession”

“I believe that question must be asked of those charged with representing our region in Parliament, as with the cuts to tertiary education, there been cuts to research and development commitments. . The nature of Hamilton is that it is built largely on the contributions of both the agricultural, research and tertiary education sectors. All of which experienced some form of cut in yesterdays announcement” said Delaney

Delaney is not alone in his concerns, with the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations echoing the belief that yesterday’s budget disadvantages students. “In a time of recession where more and more New Zealanders will be looking towards participating in tertiary education in the face of high unemployment, it is highly disappointing not to see a substantial increase in an area that is key to New Zealand’s economic recovery” said Jordan King, Co-President of New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations.

“Students are also worried that this announcement will signal, in the coming years, changes to the fee maxima system. The Government may, in an attempt to make up the funding shortfall of institutions, allow them to set their own fees,” said King. “Such an action has already proved in the past to be a dismal failure and would be incredibly short sighted, regressive and place more debt on an already overburdened student population."

ENDS

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