Private education bodies 'deserve better funding'

An education lobby group wants the Government to recognise the role of private training establishments after a report found they were more responsive to industry needs than polytechnics and other public tertiary institutions.

Education Forum spokesman Norman LaRocque said a Ministry of Education report highlighted the national interest in having equitable public funding and regulation.

The report found the private bodies had "a greater service-like attitude towards industry that manifested itself as 'you're the mountain and we'll come to you'," he said.

In contrast, polytechnics and institutes of technology were described as showing a lack of flexibility and being unable to provide new training within the timeframes demanded by industry, he said.

The report said tertiary education providers "appear under-resourced to attend to the demands of the engagement process".

Stakeholders required prompt and flexible responses to the changing demands of industry and private organisations were seen as more "service orientated, flexible and accountable in this respect", the report said.

An agriculture focus group in the report said " ... if we weren't happy [the private providers] knew that they didn't have a job, so they tend to listen to us".

Mr LaRocque said the report showed how important it was that Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen's impending tertiary education changes recognised the role private bodies had in providing opportunity to students and employers with skilled workers.

"It is imperative that Dr Cullen's proposed changes move New Zealand toward a more responsive and more equitable regulatory and funding framework."

- NZPA