Let University Councils Decide

22 October, 2004

Let University Councils Decide

New Zealand university councils should be allowed the freedom to set 2005 tuition fees at the levels necessary to deliver quality education, Education Forum policy advisor Norman LaRocque said today.

Mr LaRocque was responding to calls from organisations, including the New Zealand University Students' Association, for universities to limit fee tuition increases. The Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) has joined the debate by calling on universities to "think carefully" about how much they need to increases student tuition fees.

"Quality university education costs money. University councils are far better placed than anyone else to determine how much revenue they need to deliver on their commitment to quality education," Mr LaRocque said.

"The Minister should keep in mind that universities are already operating within a constrained fee environment given the existence of the fee maxima policy.

"More regulation of tuition fees is the last thing the sector needs. The best way to ensure students get value for money is to maintain a competitive tertiary education environment in New Zealand," Mr LaRocque said.

ENDS

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