Tertiary Education Strategy Must Be Strategic

31 July 2001

Strategies for tertiary education must remain strategic, says Business New Zealand.

Commenting on the latest report of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission, Business New Zealand Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says the Government must not get into hands-on management of the tertiary education sector.

"The Government, in partnership with business and the wider community, should identify areas of priority, and focus on these issues. The majority of the system should continue to operate in a distributed manner responsive to local needs, within a broad strategic direction.

"Steering should be done through the use of incentives, information and special projects, not micro-management. The proposed 'desirability test' would practically guarantee micro-management.

"For any tertiary education strategy to be successful, it will need to be developed in partnership with business and the community, and will need to focus on critical issues, rather than attempt to address every possible issue. The Government and the TEC must be focused and disciplined - just as we need greater specialisation and focus within the tertiary system."

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