University study? Think again.
Massey and other universities around New Zealand are being forced to introduce regulations that deliver on the Governments Tertiary Education Strategy. Forced because some institutions would prefer to maintain a student body that reflects New Zealand’s education needs, not some reactive strategy that fails to understand educations role in society and economic recovery.
The govenment, not satisfied with the impact of the TES are now looking to restrict access further for mature students. Imagine enquiring about a course and being told that your University Entrance qualification is not good enough. Sorry UE is not what is says. UE means you only have the right to enter university as a Special Admission.
That means you will have to meet a set of criteria that could be cuturally based, academically based or luck based. You will not know if you are successfull until the last minute and your place will gone if you fail or take a break for more than two years.
There is a window of opportunity to have your say. NZQA, who are reviewing entrance criteria, are calling for submissions. I will be submitting on your behalf. Please send me your views and I will make sure thay are included in the EXMSS submission.
I find it very stupid and not thought through. If over 25s are on special admission does the Government not think that people are preparing to get more educated so that in their late years they do not become a burden on them. Rather invest into the education system than later having people out there not qualified for anything and relying on Government help.
Such a short sighted view of education. I wonder what the data is about the sucess and retention of over 25 years students compared to younger students, also interesting to look at this for extramural vs. internal. In addition how will people in the workforce,and paying taxes, be able to upskill. It is mature students who know what they want to study and why. They are already contributing to the tax pool and will actually contribute mare when they are upskilled.