12 December 2000

TERTIARY EDUCATION REVIEW MUST ADDRESS CORE FUNDING ISSUES

The soon to be announced review of tertiary education, will be pivotal in setting a direction for the sector in coming years says Hon Peter Dunne, leader United Future.

"It must however address the issue of funding head on and especially resolve the ratio of tuition fees to subsides which in the words of the vice chancellors' committee is approaching 35:65, which is significantly below the recommended 25:75," says Mr Dunne.

He says the ratio of 25:75 has been previously recommended by the Todd Taskforce.

"Future United wants to increase core funding for tertiary institutions to 80 per cent of the course costs and indicative triennial funding, because, this is essential to ensure the principle of reasonable access by all citizens to tertiary education.

"Our tertiary education policies are also carefully integrated with the abolishment of parental income testing of student allowances and lower interest student loans being the other key planks. Only through this three-pronged approach to tertiary funding and student support can institutions and students - past, present and prospective - plan for the future with any certainty," he says.

Mr Dunne says the Minister in answering a parliamentary question today acknowledged the need for a wide-ranging plan for the future of education in New Zealand.

"That is welcome, but the issue of funding must be addressed in a manner that recognises the role tertiary education plays in the future intellectual, social and economic future of our country. A strong funding base is necessary to ensure the vision of a highly educated society and knowledge economy can be realised," concludes Mr Dunne.

END

© Scoop Media