The University of Waikato wants to contract out its Pathways College to a private provider but teachers and the union claim it will damage the quality of education there. Photo / Supplied
The University of Waikato wants to contract out its Pathways College to a private provider but teachers and the union claim it will damage the quality of education there. Photo / Supplied
The University of Waikato's reputation, the future of vulnerable Maori and Pasifika students, and the jobs of 30 staff at the Waikato Pathways College are all under threat, the Tertiary Education Union [TEU] says.
The union claims the university's progression of a proposal to contract out functions of the college to an international company will undermine the curriculum, the university's standards, and the entitlements of staff.
But the university says the issues raised by the union and staff can be negotiated with a reputable international provider, the curriculum standards won't drop, and the new provider was needed to recruit more international students to the college.
Based at the university campus in Hamilton, the college offers university preparation courses, and foundation and English language programmes to both international and domestic students.
One teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she feared for Maori and Pasifika students on bridging courses aimed at raising literacy levels to transition them into a university degree.
"Firstly, what would an international provider want with our local students? And more importantly, where will their commitment be to our young Maori/Pasifika?
"These are our very vulnerable kids. They often have a bad start. All sorts of things go wrong at school, and we give them that bridging support to help them," she said.
There was currently more than 200 domestic students on the bridging programme.
"It gets them into the university environment and gets them confident with the teachers."
Past students have gone on to careers in engineering, teaching, science, computing, management and early childhood education.
"Now these kids are our future. And if we let them fall through the cracks, we are actually letting our whole community down. This is one of the ways we get them out of the poverty situations which we are currently facing."
TEU organiser Shane Vuglar said Waikato Pathways College was a "second chance opportunity" for Maori and Pasifika students which the union believed was at significant risk.
"Because we don't believe there will be the same level of commitment," Vuglar said.
Large fees meant the English language side of the school, catering to international students, was already profitable.
"The only way an international provider is going to be able to make money out of it is by increasing the teacher to student ratios and reducing the labour cost," Vuglar said.
It's the second time in as many years the university has proposed a private provider take over the running of the college after the first effort failed in July 2016.
University of Waikato senior deputy vice-chancellor Alister Jones is pressing ahead with plans to contract out functions of the Waikato Pathways College. Photo / John Borren
In February university senior deputy vice-chancellor Alister Jones said negotiations to subcontract with another party were being proposed again for the financial viability of the college.
"The pre-degree market is extremely competitive, especially for programmes that pathway to university," Jones wrote in a letter to staff on February 7.
"More students are looking at alternative options with many choosing to stay in their own country to study English or study in a country which is less expensive before moving to New Zealand for tertiary study."
But Vuglar claimed that international students recruited by the new provider would expect positive results for the tens of thousands they paid in fees each year.
The inference was that standards would drop and more students would be passed, leading to a slip in the university's world ranking, currently within the top 1.1 per cent.
"So there might be a short-term gain for the university in terms of numbers of international students and funding that comes with it. But every student is compromised if the status of the university and its qualifications are undermined."
Another teacher, who did not want to be named, said "the reputation of the university would be at stake".
The university said the proposal was only being made after careful thought, and with a view to ensuring the college's long-term sustainability through improved marketing, global reach, strengthened student enrolments and diversity.
"The university is very aware that this process may be difficult for staff, and keeping them informed and supported is our priority," a spokeswoman said.
However she could not answer whether staff would be offered mirror collective agreements.
She said students would remain enrolled with the University of Waikato, and their qualifications would be from the university.
"So any new partner will adhere to our own high quality standards, and rigorous policies and procedures.
"The agreement and strengthening of our position will enhance the university's reputation, and broaden the range of students we reach, while ensuring we maintain our strong commitment to Māori and Pasifika students."
