Maori access to tertiary study must be protected
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Maori access to universities must not be compromised by Government funding failures in the tertiary sector and they should be supported to succeed, rather than booted out, says Labour’s Associate Education spokesperson Kelvin Davis.
Kelvin Davis joined colleagues Maryan Street and Carmel Sepuloni in expressing concern about weekend reports that universities are considering abandoning policies of automatic entry for people over 20 and intend ejecting many more under-performing students.
“The Government has failed to properly fund universities at a time when a more highly skilled workforce should be our top priority. In light of record youth unemployment and particularly high Maori unemployment, the Government should have lifted the cap on student numbers.
“But it is instead tightening the screws and universities are now being forced to exclude more and more students,” Kelvin Davis says.
“Universities provide vital second chance learning opportunities for Maori, who are still facing barriers in schools. Retaining access for these aspiring learners at universities is essential, as is the provision of extra support to help them get up to speed and reach their potential through tertiary study.
“Already participation rates for Maori aged 18 and 19 in degree level courses is half that of other students and the completion rates for bachelor level degrees are lower.
“If those Maori already there are booted out for failing, rather than supported, and others who have experienced poor secondary education are denied access, the system would have failed them twice,” Kelvin Davis says.
“Labour believes equitable access to tertiary institutions is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s education system and must be protected alongside the promotion of excellence.
“One of our key educational priorities must be to ensure less advantaged young Maori retain access to university and that when there, they are supported to succeed – rather than locking them out to keep costs down.”
