Students Influence in Tertiary Ed Set to Decline

Students Influence in Tertiary Education Set to Decline

The Freedom of Association Bill, which makes it impossible for students to group together as a single body, is being driven forward by National. “Student Associations, the watchdog of tertiary institutions will lose their teeth,” says Ralph Springett, President of the Massey University Extramural Students’ Society. “It will be up to the institutions to decide how they hear the student voice.”

Tertiary institutions will pander to the needs of the minority funder – the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). Students, who fund two thirds of their education, will be ignored. With institution funding based on completion and success figures there will only be one voice in the system; those holding the purse strings. “Students, who pay the most into the tertiary education system will be sidelined because they will not have the universal voice that gives them clout,” says Mr Springett.

Students will not be able to influence their institution in the way they have in the past. Services will move from providing support as directed by student needs to support as directed by TEC needs. While tertiary study may lose its fun and personal growth tags, the real issue is with marginal groups. “Distance, part time students and students from other cultures will suffer most,” says Mr Springett. These groups have fallen out of favour with the TEC because of their lower than average completion rates. Without the united voice of students advocating on their behalf these groups will struggle to be heard.

It is unfortunate to think that in our future tertiary education services will be directed towards those who can, rather than offering a step up for those who could, if they were given the opportunity. “Ultimately is it yet another move towards an education system for the privileged who have support from outside the system,” says Mr Springett.

ENDS