Sharechat Logo

Vote-buying over student loans disappointing

Friday 1st February 2008

Text too small?
Both main parties are vote-buying over student loans, says Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly.

"The interest-free student loan policy is costing New Zealanders more than half a billion dollars each year - money that New Zealand as a whole gets no social value from. Adding in 'repayment bonuses' will make that cost even higher.

"This is money that is being diverted from funding teachers, facilities and world-class research.

"We have severe skills shortages in our workplaces and many young people are leaving school without enough skills to contribute to the workplace. Tertiary institutions can't get the funding to attract and keep key staff.

"There is some good work going on in education policy, but much more needs to be done. Pouring money into interest-free student loans is not addressing our fundamental needs in tertiary education."

  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

Devon Funds Morning Note - 17 February 2025
CEN - Delivering new renewables while supporting security of sup
Bremworth announces strategic review
AIA - January 2025 Monthly traffic update
PFI - Acquisition - 316 Neilson Street, Penrose, Auckland
RYM - Anthony Leighs to retire from Ryman Healthcare Board
Meridian Energy monthly operating report for January 2025
February 14th Morning Report
MCY - Interim results presentation details
FWL - Resignation of CEO and Director Mark Turnbull