Student Debt Crisis Continues Unabated

Friday, 26 October 2001

The Aotearoa Tertiary Students Association (ATSA) supports calls for a revamp of the Student Loan Scheme, following the release of research published in the latest New Zealand Medical Journal.

The research showed that medical students have an average of $70,000 in student debt and that the majority of them plan to leave New Zealand in favour of more lucrative work overseas.

“The findings released today add yet more weight to the arguments in favour of substantial changes to the Student Loan Scheme,” said ATSA President Keith Clark. “The student debt mountain is currently more than $4 billion. Graduates will continue to leave as this figure grows. This is an issue that affects all students, their families, communities, and the whole of New Zealand.”

“Heading into next year’s election, students will be keeping their eyes firmly focused on the government to see significant moves taken to address student indebtedness,” stated Clark. “It will not be enough to provide help to only one of the groups effected by the loan scheme. We want real action for all students.”

ATSA is keen to extend the working relationship it has with all political parties in order to find a workable solution to this issue.

For further comment, contact:
Keith Clark
ATSA National President
Cellphone 025 756 526

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