March 26, 2018
Tertiary sector keen for change
A national forum on tertiary education has called for financial support and pathways at all levels for staff and students to learn and teach Te Reo Maori.
The Voices from Tertiary Education forum at the Victoria University of Wellington this month brought together students, staff, and vice-chancellors to call for changes to the way tertiary education is funded.
It called for the Minister for Education, Chris Hipkins, to work with the sector on the reform.
Tertiary Education Union president Sandra Grey says there is a shared view across the sector that the existing funding model is compromising delivery of quality, accessible tertiary education.
She says Education Minister Chris Hipkins needs to get sector leaders, iwi and business around the table to get it sorted and ensure students get the best possible learning experience at their chosen institution.
New Zealand Union of Student Associations president Jonathan Gee says making sure universities work for a diverse range of learners, including Maori, Pasifika, second chance learners, sole parents and mature students, is vitally important.
That means making sure there are minimal financial, physical, cultural and generational barriers to learning.
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