Māori Students under funded and under appreciated

MEDIA
RELEASE MAY 14th 2009
Attention: Education and Political reporters
For Immediate Release

Māori Students under funded and under appreciated again!

“Māori students are furious that there will be no increase in the Tertiary education budget and feel Māori students will face more barriers in accessing their education on top of the existing lack of enrolment, retention and completion rates” said Jacqualene Poutu, Tumuaki of Te Mana Akonga (TMA) National Māori Tertiary Students Association

Bill English, Minister of Finance has confirmed today that the National-led government will not ensure funding keeps up with CPI. This has been honored by Labour-led governance in the past.

“This cut is offensive and highly inequitable for Māori students who are current and potential consumers of tertiary education. Now there is room for institutions to increase fees and expect more of a strict criterion to gain enrolments into what may become elitist education” said Poutu

“The National government have expressed that they would like better outcomes for Māori in education, TMA questions how they will conserve and protect Māori learners so they may access education in this country as tangata whenua and treaty partner to the crown” concludes Poutu

ENDS

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