Age discrimination never justified

Age discrimination never justified
Joint press release – NZUSA and Greypower

Students young and old are calling on the government to rescind proposed Budget changes to the student loan scheme that will deliberately target and discriminate against older students. The Government is proposing to reduce access to student loans for students over-55, specifically cutting access to loans for living costs and course-related costs.

NZUSA and Greypower are highly concerned at moves that would make it harder for mature students and older members of society from entering tertiary institutions to upskill and educate themselves.

“Access to education changes lives and opens doors. We all benefit when everyone, young and old, can contribute to an innovative and highly skilled society. Shutting out older students for no other reason than to cut costs is discriminatory and unfair,” says NZUSA co-President David Do.

"This is a short-sighted exercise that targets the elderly and could have serious repercussions in the future. The government should explain why it should discriminate on the basis of age for no real reason apart from cost cutting," says Greypower president Roy Reid.

Such changes work against long term trends in New Zealand’s population and in the tertiary sector and compromise the potential contribution of our older citizens.

“Students who are in this age bracket are not just doing hobby courses for personal interest. Some might have lost their jobs during the recession and need to retrain to get a new job or go somewhere else. Others may be training to move into a new career or profession, for example teaching, nursing, or midwivery,” says Greypower president Roy Reid.

“We are an ageing population and people are working longer – it means we need to keep learning throughout our lifetime. It is going to be harder for older students if they cannot fund their own living and study costs while they study,” says Reid.

"Every student, old or young, should be able to access the same financial support if they need it. Students face the same costs of study – textbooks are not cheaper because someone is older,” concludes Do.

NZUSA and Greypower call on the government to abandon this discriminatory policy, and instead invest properly so that all New Zealanders have the right opportunities to access tertiary education.

NZUSA is the national representative body for tertiary students and has been advocating on student issues since 1929. Grey Power is a lobby organization promoting the welfare and well-being of all citizens in the 50 plus age group.

ENDS

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