Wellington Students Occupy Victoria Registry

PRESS RELEASE

6 October 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WELLINGTON STUDENTS OCCUPY VICTORIA REGISTRY

Students from Victoria University and Massey University (at Wellington) today joined forces to send a message to the Government that they had had enough of funding cuts.

The students took the Victoria Registry after a rally against the rising costs of tertiary education.

"We have joined the Victoria students in the action today to show our support for our fellow students in Wellington and Canterbury," said Matt Davies, President-elect of the Massey University Wellington

"Massey University intends to increase our fees as well, but has decided to leave this until the last minute, when students have finished their studies. It is vital that we make our voices, and opposition to all fee increases heard now," Continued Mr Davies "Current Government Policies are driving down funding, creating a generation of debt, discourging students from entering study and devaluing the ideals of a knowledge economy".

Women's Rights Officer Alenna McLean said, "In my opinion, the current Government's education policies are creating an elitist tertiary system where middle to upper class people will be the only ones able to axcess tertiary education. This is backed up by reaserch conducted by Auckland university that shows the difference in university enrolments from people at high decile schools versus those from low-decile schools. A key barrier to participation is high fees and we are determind to prevent further fee increases.

"The Government has created barriers to education for people from low-income backgrounds, disabled people and women. I consider this discrimination. Is this the kind of society Aotearoa wishes to promote

For further comment contact Matt Davies or Alenna Mcleanon (04) 384 2856 or 025 230 7251

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