Strong tertiary education vital for our future
David Shearer
Tertiary Education Spokesperson
7 October 2011
Strong tertiary education vital for our future
The future prosperity of New Zealand depends on us having a well-educated workforce and a vibrant higher education sector that works to keep our best and brightest in New Zealand where we can all benefit from their great ideas and energy, Labour’s Tertiary Education spokesman David Shearer says.
“Our tertiary education policy, released today, balances the need to keep further education within reach for all New Zealanders with ensuring the sector is funded to the largest extent possible in these tough times.
“We cannot afford to keep seeing our best talent disappearing offshore and watching our universities slip further down the world rankings as they have done in the past two years.
“Under Labour’s policy, we will:
• Retain the fees maxima system at its current
rate of 4 per cent to keep fees under control. It is
currently under threat by this government.
• Maintain
university funding at the rate of inflation, at least, and
increase funding as finances allow – to ensure our
universities remain internationally
competitive.
• Invest $6 million to reinstate the
recently cancelled post-doctoral fellowships for PhD
graduates so they are supported into research careers in New
Zealand instead of overseas.
• Establish a scheme for
better funding ‘brilliant’ scientists. Funding would be
portable to allow scientists to take it to the most
appropriate institution, purchase equipment, recruit staff
and attract other world leaders in the field to New Zealand.
• Repeal the changes put in place as a result of the
Government’s voluntary student membership
legislation.
• Restore $13 million cut from Adult and
Community Education (ACE) funding to improve access to adult
and community education.
• Restore $2 million to the
Training Incentive Allowance.
“Labour’s policy recognises the financial difficulties New Zealand now finds itself in while taking the required steps to ensure we are poised to quickly bounce back when the economy turns.
“It builds on our earlier announcements of 5000
additional places for 16 and 17 year-olds at polytechnics
and institutes of technology, 9000 extra apprenticeships and
restoring R&D tax credits, and will be bolstered by further
announcements on skills.
“We have also moved to keep
education affordable at a time when many New Zealanders are
struggling.
“Our polices of the first $5000 a year income being tax free, GST off fresh fruit and veges and lifting the minimum wage to $15 an hour will put more money in the pockets of full and part-time students to help them continue their studies,” David Shearer said.
ENDS