Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Zero-fees policy ‘helps more people, improves education quality’

UnitedFuture’s ‘zero-fees’ policy is fairer more effective solution to the student debt problem that also addresses the quality of education, according to leader Peter Dunne who spoke to students at Auckland University today.

“University rankings released today show that our top universities are slipping down the list. They need a funding commitment to get us represented in the top-100 ranked universities,” says Mr Dunne.

“Australia has 6 universities ranked in the top 50 in the world. We don’t have any. We have only one in the top 100 and two others in the top 200 – we can and need to do better,” says Mr Dunne.

“UnitedFuture would abolish all tertiary education fees, as well as commit to properly funding our institutions themselves. This will increase access to education and deal with student debt, as well as improving the value of New Zealand degrees.

“The thing with allowances is that they only help full-time students, and they do nothing to address the quality of education.”

Mr Dunne also pointed out that in the long term, tuition fees are increasing at a rate faster than the cost of living.

“The funding is already there for it – the cost falls within that for Labour’s Universal Allowance pledge, but it benefits more people and achieves better education,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media