Student Teachers Warn Against Increasing Cost

Student Teachers Warn Against Increasing Cost Of Tertiary Study

College of Education students are warning their institutions against increasing tuition fees. Student teachers will face significant fee increases if their tertiary institutions fail to accept the Government¹s ŒFee Freeze¹ offer in this weeks budget.

"High tuition fees and limited living allowances are forcing thousands of student teachers to incur huge student loan debts,"said Christchurch College of Education Student's Association president Christin Watson. "Student debt could go up by a further billion dollars over the next decade if fees go up by $500."

Tuition fee increases through the nineties have seen current student loan debt hit four billion dollars. Most student teachers pay between $2500 to $4500 in tuition fees every year for up to four years.

"Many student teachers already have sizeable student loan debts due to fees and living costs from previous study even before they arrive at College," said Christin Watson.

"New Zealand children come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. Teachers are important role models for all these children. Teachers themselves must come from all backgrounds not just from those groups who can afford the high costs of tertiary study," said Christin Watson.

Through accepting the Government¹s ŒFee Freeze¹ offer institutions can play their part in addressing issues of student debt and other barriers caused by the high cost of tertiary study.

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