9. Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
Will she reconsider her decision to cut $13 million from adult and community education delivered through high schools and the community organisations they support; if not, why not?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
No; the Government has had to fill a $520 million hole that was left in the tertiary budget by the previous Government, in which the questioner was an Associate Minister for tertiary education herself. We have made the necessary decision to target our limited tertiary education dollars on younger students who are likely to be disproportionably affected by the economic downturn.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Is the Minister aware that it is likely that only one out of a group of seven high schools in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will apply for the remaining $3 million, and, if she is aware of that, what has she to say to the thousands of people in that area who will not be improving their skills next year because self-funding is not an option in that area?
It is my understanding that high schools have until the end of this month to have their discussions with the Tertiary Education Commission and make their views available. I will await the outcome of those decisions.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Has she received any representations from her National colleagues about the closure of adult and community education courses; if so, what have they said?
There has been a great deal of discussion from a number of people on all sides of the House. Some are concerned about the loss of adult and community education, and some are looking for the opportunities that may well be taken up in communities by clubs and other organisations.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Which sign language training courses can the Minister guarantee will survive these cuts to adult and community education, as she has suggested previously, in areas where such training is provided only through high school night classes and organisations dependent upon the support of high school adult and community education funding?