Aoraki Polytechnic courses, jobs under threat

Aoraki Polytechnic has launched a review of its education priorities, which may result in hundreds of enrolled students being cut from course programmes and the loss of about 20 jobs.

Aoraki proposes to slash eight of its 12 media programmes taught at its Dunedin campus, a move that is likely to affect about 109 enrolled students, amounting to 61.5 equivalent full-time students (EFTS), and seven staff at the Cumberland St facility.

Aoraki chief executive Kay Nelson said the proposed review of courses offered at its campuses in Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Ashburton and Dunedin would allow the polytechnic to "concentrate effort and resources on fewer programmes".

"As from 2012, Aoraki proposes to discontinue some media, sport and fitness, life skills and lower-level computing programmes," she said.

A final decision about job cuts would not be made until feedback had been received from staff.

"This is a proposal to align our strategic directions with the Government's tertiary education strategy, which is aimed at increasing the number of students achieving at higher levels of education," Ms Nelson said.

The proposed changes were discussed with affected Aoraki staff yesterday, although the manner in which the announcement was handled by human resources contractors drew criticism from some Dunedin staff.

Tertiary Education Union spokeswoman Kris Smith, of Dunedin, said staff were shocked and upset by the announcement.

Little information in support of Aoraki's proposal had been included and staff were effectively being asked to make submissions "in a vacuum", she said.

"The proposal wasn't explained to people - they were simply all called to meetings and told that programmes would be closing and given a proposal to read," Ms Smith said.

She questioned whether Aoraki's move to cut foundation education courses, such as life skills and low-level computing courses, was a government requirement for polytechnics.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said there was no expectation for polytechnics to cut back on foundation courses.

Foundation education should be focused "as much as possible" on second-chance learners who had not achieved at levels one and two previously, while foundation programmes should also work towards results that enhanced students' career prospects or helped them to progress to study at higher levels.

"As in all areas of tertiary education, we are focused on funding courses that lead to successful outcomes, not just enrolments or 'bums on seats'," Mr Joyce said.

Aoraki and all tertiary institutions were responding to these expectations and the various changes being sought to course programmes would ensure the best possible results for foundation students "as a group" and for the taxpayers who funded the institutions, he said.

The proposed review of Dunedin-based programmes will not affect Aoraki's journalism and digital photography programmes.

It is understood about 182 students, or 17.5 EFTS, enrolled in the courses at Timaru and three staff are potentially affected.

About 102 part-time students, or 21.5 EFTS, and two staff at Oamaru could be affected if Aoraki's lower-level course programmes are discontinued, while 84 part-time foundation students enrolled at the Ashburton campus and two part-time employees also face uncertainty.

Media courses in four programmes and the diploma in sport and fitness (level 5) offered in Christchurch are to be reviewed.

Ms Nelson said some of Aoraki's media programmes no longer met the polytechnic's programme portfolio requirements.

"This is not about the money. We will not be leaving students in the lurch. They will all be able to finish their studies this academic year," she said.

Some course programmes being reviewed were offered at other tertiary institutes, she said.

A Tertiary Education Commission report on Aoraki's performance showed it had a successful course completion rate of 84%, putting it first on a ranked list of national polytechnics.

However, Aoraki's qualification completion levels were at 57%, while student progression to higher-level study was only 17%, factors that contributed to a $1.5 million drop in funding from the TEC to $16,115,578 for 2011.

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Aoraki Polytechnic cuts
The following courses will be affected. -
Ashburton, Oamaru and Timaru: Certificate in computing level 2, certificate in life skills level 1.
Christchurch: Certificate in radio, television and presenting level 3, certificate in film and television level 4, diploma in radio level 5, diploma in television production level 6, diploma in sport and fitness level 5.
Dunedin: Certificate in multimedia and web design level 4, certificate in advertising design level 4, certificate in film and television level 4, certificate in creative writing level 5, diploma in radio level 5, certificate in creative writing for publication level 6, diploma in 3-D animation level 6, diploma in television production level 6.

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