4. Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
Does she stand by her statement “Despite the significant economic challenges of these times, government has invested strongly in education.”; if so, does she consider that to be true of the tertiary sector?
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) Link to this
Yes. I am advised that this year the total amount of funding for tertiary education in Vote Education will increase by 4.5 percent, from $2.66 billion in 2008-09 to $2.78 billion in 2009-10.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Does the Minister think that funding polytechnics and universities so that they can enrol and educate more students is a better use of taxpayers’ money than funding students to go on benefits; if so, why is she refusing to invest in polytechnics and universities by lifting student number caps and financial penalties? Would she rather pay students benefits than pay to help them learn?
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Given the National Government’s support so far for a return to voluntary students association membership, has the Minister sought advice on the financial implications for universities if they are to cover the costs of the services that will be scrapped as a result of a lack of funding—services like welfare support, advocacy, publications and media, job support, and accommodation services—or does she intend to abandon student support services altogether?
In respect of the first part of the question, the National Government has supported the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill referral to the Education and Science Committee for a broad discussion about these issues. We think choice is a good thing. If services are up to scratch, people will join organisations that offer them. In respect of the second part of the question that the member has asked, I am pretty convinced that with an increase of 4-odd percent in tertiary spending over the coming year, the provision of tertiary education will continue at a reasonably high standard.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Why does the Minister remain implacably opposed to reinstating funding to adult and community education programmes run through high schools, when courses that she claims to support—namely, English for speakers of other languages, te reo, and New Zealand Sign Language—will be axed or are under serious threat in 2010 in 25 high schools and the community organisations they support?
The Minister has made it clear on numerous occasions in this House over recent weeks that the Government will be spending $124 million on adult and community education over the next 4 years. The Government has made the decision to reprioritise some funding for initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, which will provide 2,000 places across the country to disengaged youth. We think that is a pretty good use of taxpayers’ money.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
I seek leave to table a spreadsheet that I have compiled from information from high schools about the English for speakers of other languages, New Zealand Sign Language, and te reo courses that are to be axed or are under threat next year because of cuts to funding.
Mr SPEAKER