Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Minister for Tertiary Education

3 May 2006 Media Statement

Public consultation on mergers of remaining Colleges of Education to begin

Submissions from the public are being called for over the proposed merger of the remaining two Colleges of Education, Minister for Tertiary Education Dr Michael Cullen announced today.

If approved, the mergers would see the Dunedin College of Education become part of the University of Otago while the Christchurch College of Education would join the University of Canterbury.

“These are critically important mergers. They bring together the strengths of the Colleges and Universities and will support the national need for excellence in teacher education," said Dr Cullen.

"The mergers would create new university-based Colleges of Education specialising in their areas of academic strength. The Colleges would develop new degree programmes, students would also be able to enter the teaching profession through a variety of pathways within a university setting, and education faculty staff would have greater opportunities for collaborative research.

“People who have a view on the proposed mergers should take the opportunity to make a submission by 9 June 2006. I propose to make a final decision in July this year to give effect to the mergers from 1 January 2007, " said Dr Cullen.

If the mergers go ahead, approximately 980 students from the Dunedin College of Education would transfer to Otago University along with 210 staff, while approximately 4403 Christchurch College of Education students and 531 college staff would transfer to the University of Canterbury.

In associated changes, the Christchurch College of Education’s School of Business would transfer to the University of Canterbury to allow current students to complete their qualifications. Similarly, the College's National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts is likely to transfer to the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, with which discussions are in progress.

Institutions will have consultation documents available to members of the public and key stakeholder groups. Submissions can be sent to the Tertiary Education Commission at PO Box 27048, Wellington.

ENDS

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