Universal Living Allowance for Students

Universal Living Allowance for Students

QPEC is adding its voice to calls for a Universal Living Allowance for students in tertiary education.

A petition organised by the New Zealand University Students Association is to be presented at parliament at 1pm tomorrow (Tuesday 4th) urging the Labour government to set the ground for just such a proposal in the upcoming budget.

There is plenty of evidence that choices in tertiary education are heavily constrained by family income. In other words students from middle and low income communities are opting out of high quality education courses because of the huge costs involved.

A universal living allowance will bring these students some measure of financial security and independence as well as the confidence to pursue higher cost, higher quality courses.

QPEC has high expectations that a universal living allowance will form an important part of a generous, community-minded budget later this month

John Minto National Chairperson QPEC - Quality Public Education Coalition

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