www.wairaka.net/ubinz/IR/pov99/StudentsHeinsius.html

by Dirk Heinsius, 25 October 1999

Academic experts say that poverty in New Zealand is barring students from lower socio-economic groups from attending universities and polytechnics and that the effects will be dramatic. Auckland University Equal Opportunities Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dame Anne Salmond, said there had been a 20% drop nationwide in the number of students from poor schools entering universities during the past four years. Studies at Auckland University and Wellington's Victoria University reveal that only 8% of students at tertiary institutions are from low socio-economic areas, while 52% are from affluent areas.

Victoria University Student Services Director, Ruth Moorehouse, said 58% of all students at the institution were not getting any financial assistance from the State at all, either in the form of an allowance or a loan, which was an increase of 12% on the previous year, and this suggested there were fewer students from lower socio-economic groups at tertiary institutions as they especially would be needing financial assistance to stay at the University this year.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education figures just released show overall University enrollments are down, mainly because:

1. there is absolutely no certainty that there will be suitable employment available for students who have completed their studies for a Degree or a Diploma,
2. the higher costs of University education proved to be a deterrent to young people contemplating higher education, and,
3. the job market for students seeking to earn some money during the vacations to supplement their education costs for the following year has almost completely disappeared.

The Government's statement that it will do everything possible to give New Zealand a higher skilled and better educated workforce is therefore an absolute farce!