8 September 2003 Media Statement

Government to help Modern Age students

The government will step in if necessary to meet the accommodation costs for the group of students at risk of losing their homestays because of the collapse of the Modern Age group of private english language schools, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

“With the exception of a small group in Tauranga, I am advised that most students have been placed with alternative language schools for the balance of their courses,” Trevor Mallard said.

“However, there are students at risk of losing their accommodation because Modern Age has used their accommodation payments for other purposes.

“The government has undertaken to meet the future accommodation costs for this group of students, including the payments due to homestays for August, should Modern Age not be in a position to meet these costs.

“I intend to propose an increase in the foreign-fee paying student levy on private sector providers to pay for this intervention.

“I will also be consulting with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority about using their powers to ensure that accommodation payments are paid in to trust accounts,” Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media