Comprehensive Strategy Needed to Deliver Knowledge Nation
25 May 2001
The National Tertiary Education Union today welcomed Labor\'s announcement of education initiatives, but called for more extensive measures aimed at increasing the contribution of education to economic and social development.
NTEU National President, Dr. Carolyn Allport, said that Kim Beazley\'s promise to restore postgraduate research places cut by the Coalition, and to fund education scholarships and technological development in regional universities, would go some way towards halting the decline in higher education inflicted by Coalition policies.
\"The damage inflicted on universities places them in need of major repairs - it is too late for a patch up job and a greater commitment from all political parties is needed.\"
\"The magnitude of the problem is shown by the fact that university costs have increased by around 20% since 1996. This is largely a result of unfunded enterprise bargaining. Therefore a 20% increase in funding per effective full time student (EFTSU), is necessary to secure the foundations of our public universities.\" Dr. Allport said.
\"Increased in funding is not the whole solution - it is only a start. A range of measures aimed at restoring participation of disadvantaged groups and improving university infrastructure are necessary to give substance to the Knowledge Nation, and to ensure that the disadvantaged are not passed by.\" Dr Allport continued.
\"Under the Coalition equity in higher education is slipping off the agenda. Indigenous enrolments fell by 15% between 1999 and 2000, while rural, isolated and low-income students remain under-represented. Our universities need an urgent injection of capital to strengthen their contribution to innovation and regional development, but public universities also have a responsibility to offer higher education to all groups within society. Government must acknowledge this responsibility and assist universities to deliver on it.\" Dr. Allport concluded.