Maori students' entry into universities uncertain

Maori students' entry into universities is uncertain and unlikely 

Māori students slam the decisions of Otago and Victoria Universities to close their doors to undergraduates for the rest of the year.

“This is devastating to under represented groups who already struggle to access higher level education. Māori Students are among one of the top under represented groups in the country and there is nothing fair or equitable about these rushed and sudden decisions,” says Jacqualene Poutu (Tumuaki, Te Mana Ākonga, National Māori Tertiary Students Association)

“These decisions will further restrict the ability for potential students to up skill themselves at a time of economic instability and high unemployment.”

“This decision may also impact on those students who are near completion of their degree and took a break in the first semester because the papers they required for their degree were only taught in second semester.”

“Potential students have the hardest blow, such as those returning from the workforce after a gap year, or they have not been properly informed about changing entry requirements.”

“This is a mid year restriction on students and the flow on effect of managed enrolments in the future for Māori students means they need to compete with students from highly resourced schools for entry into university. The problem is that the majority of Māori students come from low decile schools with less resourcing and therefore less stability to academically compete for university entry.”

“Māori achievement in tertiary education can only be realised when access and equity issues for Māori are addressed. The government needs to be on-side and increase funding for the tertiary sector in the upcoming Budget” concludes Poutu.

ENDS