7. Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
Does she stand by her reported statement that the “Government would not step in to remove the barriers and allow the polytechnics to accept extra students”; if so, why?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. No, because I did not say that. In a new phase of Labour Party desperation, the member is quoting her own press statement—
Mr SPEAKERThe Minister should know that if she makes that kind of comment in answering the question, it will provoke disorder. I do not think it was necessary to make that kind of comment at this early stage of the answer.
I quote from her press statement of 25 June: “But Education Minister Anne Tolley confirmed today that the Government would not step in to remove the barriers and allow the polytechnics to accept extra students …”. I did not say that; the member did.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
If the predicted increase in enrolments materialises and a possible 6,000 to 8,000 students are turned away from the polytechs, what plans does the Minister have to support and upskill those people so that they can contribute to New Zealand’s economic recovery?
As I have said to that member in this House before, those are projections. They are projections done by each institution, and each institution does not necessarily use the same basis for those projections. History has shown that those projections are not particularly reliable. However, this Government is watching the situation very closely. I am reporting constantly to my colleagues, and we will deal with the situation that arises when it arises.
Louise UpstonThis Government wants to improve the educational and financial viability of the polytechnic sector. We want to have polytechs that deliver high-quality education for their students, that live within their means successfully, and that are structured to meet the needs of New Zealand’s economy now and into the future.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Does the Minister intend to cut polytechnic councils to eight members and appoint half of them, including the chairperson; if she does, what purpose does she have in doing so, and will that level of control be used to increase or remove the barriers to student enrolments at polytechnics?