Labour policy would boost humanities

David Clark
David Clark
The  University of Otago's humanities division would grow, rather than shrink, if the Labour Party was in power, Labour economic development spokesman David Clark says.

Dr Clark said Labour's proposed Working Futures plan, which would provide three free years of tertiary education, would result in a 15% boost in student numbers equating to a $269million increase in spending in the city.

The scheme would be available to people who had not studied beyond high school.

Calculations based on university and polytechnic economic benefit modelling showed each extra university student was worth $51,000 and each extra polytechnic student $35,000 in direct spending to the Dunedin economy each year, he said.

A further 2517 jobs would be created in the city as a result of the additional spending.

``In short, under a Labour government, Otago University (and polytechnic) would be looking to employ additional staff rather than making cuts to overall numbers like those currently proposed in the humanities.''

The policy would be phased in.

Labour would offer one year of free tertiary education in its first elected term, growing to three years' free education in its third term, Dr Clark said.

The Labour Party was frustrated by current funding of the tertiary sector.

``Certainly, in opposition we have the same level of frustration as others, because we are watching the Government reduce funding to tertiary institutions year by year.''

Minister for Tertiary Education Steven Joyce said changes occurring at the university were the result of changing student enrolment patterns.

``In the modern world, more students are enrolling in subjects where New Zealand has skill shortages, like health, IT, and engineering, and less in the humanities.''

Dr Clark's approach was ``confused'' because it suggested departments should remain the same size, despite enrolment numbers, Mr Joyce said.

``Once again Dr Clark seeks to write cheques that simply throw more and more taxpayers' money around.

``The public understands the governments and taxpayers do not have unlimited resources.''

Dr Clark said Mr Joyce was ``out of touch'' if he believed the tertiary sector did not need additional funding.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

 

Comments

Public money is finite if Labour plans to spend it, but unlimited if National wants to bail out private investors, Comalco, boost NZDF or appease sheikhs in the non fertile crescent, Saudi Arabia.

 

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