Massey University extramural students are infuriated by the Government’s continuing attack on part time studies.

Performance information published by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is misleading and favours institutions that focus on full time internal students. Massey, with its large part time extramural cohort, is being penalised for providing education to those [...]]]>

Why don't they get it?

Massey University extramural students are infuriated by the Government’s continuing attack on part time studies.

Performance information published by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is misleading and favours institutions that focus on full time internal students. Massey, with its large part time extramural cohort, is being penalised for providing education to those balancing study with work, parenting and financial pressures.

“The government has lost the plot when it comes to the value of part time study,” says Ralph Springett, President of the Massey University Extramural Students’ Society. “It is ridiculous that students who avoid taking a student loan and work productively are the ones singled out as non performers.”

With performance information linked to funding, the pressure will now be on for Massey to reduce its risk around part time learners. This can be achieved by providing more support for students or reducing the number of part time students – as happened when Massey’s summer school abruptly closed enrolments in August.

“These figures are not useful for students as Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has suggested. They mislead and confuse.

“While the TEC has stated that low completion does not mean the provider was poor, that context will not be obvious to students. The information only serves funding purposes,” says Mr Springett.

Linking performance with funding is a driver for student service levy increases. Student services are a key tool in improving completions and institutions now have a clear incentive to increase these costs. In the last two years Massey University has increased its student services levy by 300% in order to provide better support for students in the absence of adequate government funding.

Stephen Joyce on Q+A discussing student loans and completion rates.

“It appears as if the government has not thought this through at all,” says Mr Springett. “We now have a tertiary system that cannot contain its rising fees, fails to offer students any meaningful information about the sector, cannot provide the courses it advertises at the start of the year and does not value the lowest-public-cost form of education. Shame on you, Minister Joyce.”

In line with expectations of Government, Massey is introducing a program of monitoring students academic achievement. This scheme intends to encourage students in their studies and provide guidance and timely support to students who are struggling academically.

There are three key reasons for the introduction of [...]]]>

You are not alone. Support is there if you need it.

In line with expectations of Government, Massey is introducing a program of monitoring students academic achievement. This scheme intends to encourage students in their studies and provide guidance and timely support to students who are struggling academically.

There are three key reasons for the introduction of the monitoring scheme. Firstly, it is about improving student study skills and performance, but is also about raising student awareness of access to relevant University support and services, and the establishment of a regular dialogue between the student and the University that specifically addresses study progression issues earlier than previously has been the case.

Students identified as experiencing progression issues will be asked to discuss these with student learning advisors/counsellors, with the aim of directing students to University resources targeted at assisting with getting studies back on track. Students may also be required to participate in an academic review action plan which may then require  students to take immediate action in accessing study support and services available at the University.

Tertiary Education Funding. Steven Joyce has described how it will work.   Completions must come within the targeted range as described by the institutions investment plan. Otherwise the TEC will use their funding-stick; give the institution a beating for not being good enough.

 The reaction will be sensible. Institutions will increase support for marginal [...]]]>

Access is no longer guaranteed

Tertiary Education Funding. Steven Joyce has described how it will work.   Completions must come within the targeted range as described by the institutions investment plan. Otherwise the TEC will use their funding-stick; give the institution a beating for not being good enough.

 The reaction will be sensible. Institutions will increase support for marginal students, using compulsory service levies to fund new initiatives. That’s good, lets all muck in and help those that need it most – a bit like how Student Associations work. Institutions will also be more careful about who they choose to study with them. They will choose those with good school grades who want to study full-time. They will be supported in this by the TES push to enroll school leavers. Students who fail will be shunted out the door to make way for the bright new things.

 But there is a problem. If you are an adult the doors will be closed. If you fail because the course was crap or your mother died; you are out. If you are māori and are looking for a second chance at education you will have to count on… on what?

 Unlike Labour I think National needs to let institutions control who has access. In the same way that the Government is looking for courses that match the institutions capabilities and New Zealand’s needs National needs to allow institutions to define their ideal student body and accept enrolments based on their own criteria. This may see Auckland University full of young bourgeoisie but will also allow Massey to continue to offer places for second chance learners who need to study extramurally.

National has not discounted changes to New Zealand’s open entry policy. National legislation removing open entry would be antisocial and bordering on racist. Antisocial because it is ignoring those with disabilities, students who study part-time for professional or personal development and the elderly who through education wish to continue to contribute to society. Racist because the group they are targeting effectively excludes māori. Māori learners in degree level tertiary education are predominantly adults who have entered the system through the over 20 open entry route. If National closes this door then how does their policy satisfy the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi?

 National need to think again about the social impact of their Tertiary Education policies.

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 [...]]]>

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.