No Vision, No Heart - Equity initiatives in higher education must be supported
7 May 1999
The National Tertiary Education Union, representing staff in Australian universities, has expressed horror at the suggestion that the Merit-Based Equity Scholarships Scheme is to be scrapped in Tuesday’s Federal Budget.
`In 1996, the Government increased university student fees paid through the Higher Education Contribution Scheme by between 35% and 125%,’ said NTEU President Dr Carolyn Allport. `This scholarship scheme – which provides HECS-exemptions for 3000 students - was introduced by the Coalition in recognition of the problems which increased HECS and lowered thresholds for repayment would pose for students who suffered financial and educational disadvantage. And now, in a time of economic growth, Minister Kemp wants to take away one initiative which might help these students.’
`A review of the effectiveness of the Scheme was to be carried out in 1999, but there has been no public discussion of this process. Now, it appears that the Minister has decided to just cut the scheme without further discussion and deliver savings at the expense of disadvantaged students and their families.’
`If the Minister is concerned by the fact that students from rural and isolated areas, indigenous students and peole from low socio-economic backgrounds are under-represented among university students, he should consider doing something about the factors which prevent disadvantaged students getting to university, instead of axing a support program.’
Dr Allport said that the cut was particularly worrying, given that the Government had abolished the Higher Education Council. Up until this year, the Council analysed the operations of HECS among disadvantaged groups and provided independent policy advice to Government.
`How will participation by equity groups be monitored in the future?’ she asked. `DETYA is not resourced to do it effectively – the Department undertook one study of the impact of HECS changes in 1997, but there are no plans for a follow-up study. Will we just have continuing Government propaganda to prop up the inequities of our higher education system?’
`The government is trumpeting unparalleled economic growth. It is obscene that, in good times, we should be making it harder for disadvantaged Australians to get to university.’
`Now is the time for investment in higher education – and in the Australian people.’