Politicians focus on education
Ahead of September’s general election, talks to our Hamilton East candidates about their perspectives on education.
As a university city, education policies put forward by National, Labour and the Greens will impact Waikato people and future residents.
Labour’s proposed Working Futures Plan will provide three years of free post-school education across a person’s life but although it improves the status quo, it could be better, a fellow candidate has said.
On top of that, tax-payers already subsidise tertiary education by 80 per cent. Without student loans, money is drained from other much-needed assets.
National’s David Bennett, Labour’s Jamie Strange and Green’s Sam Taylor agree education is a priority, but it looks different for each New Zealander.
Labour’s Working Futures Plan would cost $1.2 billion to put in place if it is voted into Government.
In its first year, amount to $265 million.
The plan means that people wanting a university degree or apprenticeship will be able to gain the skills they need free of charge and without debt.
It will be available throughout a person’s lifetime, so that it can be used for retraining or if someone changes career part way through their working life.
‘‘We're confident that our universities and polytechnics can copewith the increased demand three years free tertiary study will create.’’
it would
NATURE OF GOVERNMENT
Labour candidate and teacher Jamie Strange has highlighted education as one of the key issues for Hamilton East.
The Hamilton Boys’ High School old boy said the policy will not be retrospective, meaning recent graduates will not get their student loans reimbursed.
‘‘We accept that there are past students and graduates who will feel that they miss out, but that is going to be the case regardless of how we constructed the policy.
‘‘When we introduced interestfree student loans in 2006, there were past graduates who had paid off their loans who missed out.
‘‘That’s the nature of government,’’ he said.
The plan will be introduced in phases, with one year’s education available from 2019, two years from 2022 and three years available from 2025.
Labour states total student debt has increased by over 50 per cent and is expected to hit $15b this year.
‘‘Three years free tertiary study will significantly reduce borrowing, and over time a Labour government will progressively increase the level of financial support available to students, so that student loans become a much smaller feature of the system.
‘‘On a personal note, I just finished paying off a $35,000 student loan, so I understand the challenges those who are paying off a loan are facing,’’ Strange said.
‘‘We’re confident that our universities and polytechnics can cope with the increased demand three years free tertiary study will create.’’
IMPROVING THE STATUS QUO
An old girl of Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, The Green Party’s Sam Taylor has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science.
She believes universal access to education is essential and that a well-educated population is vital for the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of New Zealand.
‘‘The Greens would love to see one year of student debt wiped for every year worked in New Zealand,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘The Labour policy improves the status quo, but it could be better. For example, medical degrees and other degrees that require four years or more would be only partially funded and yet there is a shortage of doctors and other highly qualified professionals.
‘‘A three year funding cap doesn’t address the needs of those who will be re-training or requiring further education due to technological change and shifts in the labour market, so although Labour’s policy is an improvement, the Green Party policy would address these aspects while also ensuring the skills of our graduates stay in our communities.’’
Their Tertiary Education Policy plans to work towards a tertiary education system in which fees are lowered, student debt is phased out, and the eligibility for student allowances is extended.
They aim to support keeping the current zero interest scheme
‘‘We believe education is important and people are allowed to choose the career options they are most interested in.’’
and to reinstate access to Student Allowance for those studying postgraduate courses.
But the Green’s Education Policy doesn’t only target tertiary study.
If elected into government, the party wants to ensure state schools are fully funded, such that high quality education is not dependent upon fees, private donations, fundraising, nor private investment.
‘‘We believe that education in its broadest sense is about helping everyone reach their potential so they can fully participate in society,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘We are committed to developing an education system that incorporates Te Tiriti o Waitangi through all levels of the curriculum and enables Maori to have
‘NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL’
After finishing his secondary education at St John’s College, incumbent National Hamilton East MP David Bennett completed a double degree in law and accounting at Victoria University.
He said it was important to note the taxpayer already subsidises tertiary education by 80 per cent.
‘‘National encourages those people who want tertiary education, to do it. However, there is a large chunk of the population choosing not to engage in tertiary education, rather going into the workforce and becoming tax payers themselves.
‘‘These people do not get a benefit from more of their taxes going into tertiary education.
‘‘If the government was to increase the subsidies even more, that would take taxpayer money away from other things, like much needed infrastructure, pri- mary and secondary schooling, health, and well, the list goes on.’’
Bennett said the country needs a balance of people in society, including plumbers, builders, teachers, nurses, accountants, engineers, journalists shopkeepers and dairy farmers.
‘‘We believe education is important and people are allowed to choose the career options they are most interested in.
‘‘Tertiary education is not a one size fits all answer, and nor should it be.
‘‘The taxpayer already heavily subsidises tertiary education, and those that choose to (study) are generally rewarded in life by getting higher incomes for their increased knowledge.’’
National recently announced a $359 million education initiative that includes digital learning for senior students, more resources for maths, and a guarantee that all primary school students will be able to learn a second language if they choose to.
The party is also ensuring a better education through investing in building new schools and classrooms across the country, rolling out faster, unlimited broadband to schools and investing a record $10.8b a year into early childhood, primary, and secondary school education.