[Greens-Media] MEDIA ALERT: Review of capped system ignores elephant in the room – lack of funding

[Jegatheeswaran, Brami (Jegan) (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA ALERT: Review of capped system ignores elephant in the room – lack of funding

Christopher Pyne’s review into the uncapping of student places highlights the government’s inability to deal with the real issue in the higher education sector – a drastic lack of funding, said Greens Senator and spokesperson for higher education, Lee Rhiannon.

“The Greens supported the uncapping of student places as it was tied to a boost in government funding. At the time we warned of the potential impacts on education quality, and that the real barriers to participation for students from low-SES backgrounds were at the primary and secondary level, and about a lack of well funded support services in Universities,” said Senator Rhiannon.

“Unfortunately many of our concerns have been realised and staff and students are bringing to our attention real examples of the negative impacts uncapping is having on quality, including staff cuts, course cuts, fewer student services and larger class size.

“If Christopher Pyne was serious about education quality and ensuring Australia has a vibrant university sector he would not proceed with his $2.3 billion cuts to universities and would reverse the trend of the past ten years of a real decline in university funding,” said Senator Rhiannon.

Contact – 0487 350 880

Brami Jegan
Media Adviser 0487 350 880
Office of Senator Lee Rhiannon | Australian Greens Senator for New South Wales

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http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/

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