Ker fights to offer degree level

Otago Polytechnic has joined others around New Zealand strenuously opposing a Government proposal to stop them offering degree level education.

Chief executives were dismayed to read in the Government's draft 2010-15 tertiary education strategy that polytechnics might be limited to providing certificate and diploma qualifications only, Otago chief executive Phil Ker said yesterday.

They were even more dismayed to learn the wording was not accidental but deliberate, he told a polytechnic council meeting.

All polytechnics were united in objecting to the proposal, he said.

Mr Ker said: "Across the country, this is the single most important issue facing the sector."

Nationally, about 20% of polytechnic courses were at degree level, he said.

Otago's degree level programmes were "nudging 40%".

Among the degree level courses offered at Otago are nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, fashion design, product design, information technology and management.

However, there were indications the Government would change its mind and allow polytechnics to continue offering the range of programmes they did now, Mr Ker said.

After a meeting senior sector heads had with Education Minister Anne Tolley, Mr Ker said he "got the impression the draft was changeable".

That was "a reassuring message", deputy chairman Mark Ryan said.

"I could imagine the impact on this institution if degree education was removed."

Degree level education was fundamental to Otago and other polytechnics, council member Jane Mitchell said.

"If this goes ahead, where are nurses going to train, for example?" she asked.

Submissions on the draft strategy close today.