UnitedFuture's response to Labour's student allowance pledge

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United Future
Since: 2007-08-08 10:30:45.829588
Posts: 220

UnitedFuture's response to Labour's student allowance pledge

Posted at 2008-10-13 19:47:46.982. Permalink.

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says he's not surprised Labour has promised students a universal allowance if Labour's re-elected, but notes the policy will not deal with the fundamental problem of student debt.

"UnitedFuture's policy of zero fees for all tertiary education, with a cap on what can be borrowed for a living allowance, means graduates will leave with much less debt," he says.

“Zero fees will encourage those in the workforce to study part-time and upskill. But part-time students who chose to also work and pay taxes are given nothing at all by extending allowances.

“While we welcome this extra help to students, student allowances are a short-term remedy compared to UnitedFuture’s plan to eliminate fees completely. The cost of these policies is nearly identical, but we think the benefits of zero-fees are simple and fair.

"The fact is that course fees over time are increasing far above that of the cost of living at 5% per year. In ten years time, it will be tuition fees that are crippling students and raising debt." ... Read the full text of this article.

QuentinTodd
Since: 2008-09-15 20:23:59.588
Posts: 24

Posted at 2008-10-13 19:47:47.049. Permalink.

I have a student debt. I think zero fees is sensible and will help students over the long term. I think that because people are leaving NZ to pay off their loans faster or avoid them; the NZ Government at the time of introducing Student Loans should have had more brains. We are now paying an extremely high price for educating for the future and guess where they shoot off to?

The sponsorship that Tim Shadbolt introduced into Southern Polytechnic is a worthy model for perhaps going nationally with? If industries are helping tertiary students then the incentive to stay in NZ will stronger in my opinion.

Joe Burton
Since: 2007-08-16 15:27:03.943
Posts: 34
Moderator

Posted at 2008-10-13 21:06:14.561. Permalink.

Helen Clark was asked what she was going to do about student fees when she was here at otago uni today. She said that Labour had kept fees under control over the last 9 years - is this true?

It would be interesting to see exactly how much fees have risen in comparison to living costs to see if her claim holds out.

I think the point about zero fees encouraging part time study and upskilling is very valid and important!

Damian Light
Since: 2007-08-16 23:02:21.605
Posts: 36

Posted at 2008-10-14 08:56:17.333. Permalink.

Peter Dunne on Sunday said that the Government has $10 billion owing on Student Debt. It's considered an asset that will be paid back - thats crazy! Zero fees make so much more sense!

Robin Gunston
Since: 2007-08-15 21:24:50.252
Posts: 14

Posted at 2008-10-14 15:53:48.384. Permalink.

Joe

The fees basis for University courses have been changed recently by changing from the EFTS funding scheme to that of a bulk fixed fee for university tuition costs. That process has meant that universities have had to defer lots of planned maintenance and replacement of IT systems etc to ensure that the fixed fee is acceptable to TEC. This is how fee costs are artificially "kept down".

If we do not allow fees to rise we will see University buildings and assets literally crumble, with courses closed as they cannot afford up to date science and IT equipment and lecturers go to places where their talents are respected and paid for.

Zero fees is the best long term solution for ensuring we have a skilled workforce, after all in a knowledge economy which we are meant to be working towards, it will require all of us to continually upskill at least every 5-10 years.

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