Extramural Presidents Blog » Funding adult education

Over 25s become ‘Special Admissions’

ralph — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:46:03 +0000

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.

Brash’s 2025 Darkforce Report

ralph — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:52:46 +0000

Why don't they get it?

Massey extramural students are pissed off at the lack of understanding the 2025 Taskforce has displayed around the importance of tertiary education in building a sustainable future for New Zealand.

Brash’s 2025 Taskforce Report, which students are calling the Darkforce, calls for higher tertiary education fees, market interest on student loans and less stakeholder involvement in the governance of the institutions that deliver tertiary education.

National has already embarked on this road to the dark ages with the Polytechnic Amendment Bill. Next will be a loosening of the fee maxima alongside the removal of the united student voice through voluntary membership of student associations. And then interest on student loans…

A few years down this path and we have a business system delivering education and research. Has this worked elsewhere? Has this helped countries bounce back after a period of recession? No. Most countries have invested in tertiary education as demand has increased. What do the experts say? The recession is an opportunity to invest in productivity on a national scale.

It seems as if everyone but the government agree that education is the springboard to step change in National Productivity. Brash only sees the money-go-round, he appears to have no faith in the potential of a better educated Aotearoa society. Rude twit.

National’s Draft Tertiary Education Strategy is a Dog

ralph — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:14:22 +0000

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.

Capped enrolments. Who will suffer?

ralph — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:41:46 +0000

There is no more money to fund increased enrolments and on top of that, student success and completion will be a Government funding criteria. Welcome to the National world of Tertiary Education.

In future all universities will choose their students based on that students perceived ability to complete in a timely fashion. Many in society may agree that this reasonable.

Mature, part time, extramural students have the greatest risk of not finding a place at Massey because they are not best-fit for the funding criteria.

So what can be done?

As a student: pay your fees on time, do not have any outstanding fines, enrol early and in semester one and do not fail your papers! These are the areas that will be used for deciding who stays and who will be excluded.

As a member of EXMSS: Connect with the extramural community through the community website, add your voice to the discussions, participate in submissions and events. EXMSS will focus our community’s views, lobby and make submissions to the university and government.

Clearly questions remain.

Will Massey strategically retain its extramural focus or will Massey move towards the safer internal students? How will the cap be managed in the second and third semesters? Will offerings be reduced?

I am here to engage on your behalf. I am keen to hear your views. I will be submitting on the Draft Tertiary Education strategy in the near future and I am in constant contact with Massey regarding their future direction. Massey values your opinion. If you email the Vice Chancellor or myself the message does get though. Get involved. Blog, comment or contact the university. If you are concerned have your say.

Students condemn National policies

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:06:25 +0000

I have had enough of Ms Tolly’s antisocial attitude. I say we continue to care for and respect our elders. This is the Media Release I raised following Ms Tolly’s recent enquiry into the return on investment of education for pensioners

Students condemn National policies as educational fascism.

Ms Tolly’s suggestion that over 65s are not worth investing in has disgusted many older extramural students at Massey University. Based solely on what a student can deliver back to society in the form of economic benefits, National’s Education Policies could be interpreted as bordering on fascism.

”Ms Tolly doesn’t appear to value the personal rewards of learning. It is simply a matter of what she can get back on her investment. The enrichment, happiness and quality of life of this group of learners doesn’t seem to interest her” says Ralph Springett, President of Massey University Extramural Students’ Society.

National’s lack of humanity is demonstrated by the introduction of policies that impact on those that need educational support most. They include the removal of government scholarships for those who would not normally be able to access tertiary education, axing funding to courses that deliver basic literacy and numeracy in a non-formal environment and now the suggested removal of support for those over 65 because they can’t return on the investment.

”What happened to respect and care of our elders? These people paid taxes. National’s line seems to be picking away at the moral fibre of Aotearoa.” says Ralph.

With the caps on funding for Tertiary Institutions remaining, places for marginal grade students may also be lost. Education under a National government looks to be reserved for the chosen ones who can fulfil Ms Tolly’s vision of a return on investment.