Government’s student assistance package decried

NAPIER: A $130 million financial support package does nothing to address student hardship, says the president of the Otago University Students’ Association.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced the package, aimed to assist financially embattled students dealing with the Covid19 pandemic, at the postCabinet press conference yesterday afternoon.

A raft of new initiatives were announced,including:

Increasing the student loan amount available for courserelated costs for fulltime students from $1000 to $2000, on a temporary basis;

The continuation of support payments for students unable to study online for up to eight weeks;

Ensuring students receive partial tuition fee refunds in 2020 if their course has been discontinued due to Covid19 (this will not affect their future entitlement to student loans);

Ensuring that if a student is unable to complete a course of study in 2020 due to Covid19, it will not affect their entitlement to Fees Free tertiary study.

Ms Ardern said education and retraining would be a key part of New Zealand’s economic recovery. The package was important for struggling students across the country.

But OUSA president Jack Manning said the fund was only accessible to fulltime students and required students to go further into debt to access it.

‘‘Students still remain the only group expected to borrow to live during this time, when we are being told to expect an economic recession.’’

A financial and mental health support package that did not drive students more into debt was required, he said.

The Prime Minister thanked the Student Volunteer army, and those who have been helping students over these uncertain times.

She also thanked teachers for helping with distance learning.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement: ‘‘Covid19 is impacting students’ ability to financially contribute to and continue their studies.’’

He added that this support package would help support students until tertiary education providers can put in place alternative ways of delivering teaching and learning.

‘‘This package provides relief to students straight away while we adapt to the immediate challenges posed by our response to Covid19.’’

Domestic students who are enrolled in fulltime tertiary study can access these supports from today.

Mr Hipkins revealed that the Government was also working on a second package of changes.

These, he said, would prepare the tertiary system for ‘‘significant growth in participation’’ as more New Zealanders look to retrain to get back into the workforce.

The cost of the package is $133 million, split between $35 million in operating funding and $98 million in capital expenditure.

This money will come out of the Government’s Tertiary Education budget. — Hawke’s Bay Today/ ODT reporters