Is younger better?
I have recently forwarded a submission discussing the Draft Tertiary Education Strategy to the Minister of Education. This is EXMSS providing a voice to the Government on your behalf, you can read the submission here and the Draft TES here.
The Draft TES has no mention of life long learning, it appears singularly focused on full-time youth enrolments. The TES also indicates that funding for institutions will be related to completion statistics. This comes at a time when enrolments have been capped. So what will be the result of these changes?
Less places for part-time mature students. Late enrolment or late fee payment will likely result in exclusion. You may have to enroll (and pay) in January for summer school just to be sure of a place. The Draft TES puts pressure on Massey’s extramural numbers due to that mode’s completion statistics. For Massey one reaction would be to cut extramural numbers favor of internal places at Albany. This is not something Massey wants to consider but if the pressure keeps up then the funding criteria will govern Massey’s behavior: maximizing Government funding is a key component of Massey’s vision.
Maori will experience reducing access. Most Maori students at Massey are adults (over 25), If entry focuses on internal full-time youth, then Maori will suffer more than the average. The TES describes an education system that fails to consider the manner in which Maori achieve their educational goals yet is suggesting that the strategy will increase Maori participation in higher tertiary education. Who did the Ministry talk to before writing the Draft TES?
The Ministry has failed to write a coherent document; the Draft TES appears disjoint, misguided and visionless.
Massey has also submitted on the Draft TES and mirrored many of my concerns, but will the Government listen? If you reply to this strand then I will group up the comments and write to the Minster reflecting your views.
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