National Party Not For Students

Students at Otago Polytechnic are shocked by John Key’s announcement that there would no restrictions on fee increases if the National Party is elected into Government.

“Students of today already face exceptionally high tuition fees and returning to the uncontrollable fee increase of the ‘90s would only further indebt students” said Richard Mitchell, President of the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA)

Under the previous National Government tertiary fees were unrestricted and tertiary fees have increased at a rapid rate between 1992 and 1999.

“National student debt is already increasing far too quickly and under a National government national student debt will only increase at a faster rate” stated Mr Mitchell.

OPSA urge the National party to re-consider their stance on student loans and the fee maxima scheme and make a move towards reducing the student debt burden on students by introducing measures that would see tuition fees decrease towards $0 and also implement a universal student allowance

Richard J Mitchell (BInfoTech), President

Otago Polytechnic Students' Association

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