Tertiary review a threat to regional polytechnics, says head

Regional polytechnics could be closed or downsized if cuts are made in a government crackdown on tertiary education funding, the head of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) said today.

A review launched yesterday by Education Minister Trevor Mallard will examine the massive growth in "sub-degree" courses offered by tertiary institutions, and he is not ruling out funding cuts or institutions being forced to close where it is proved that courses do not offer value.

The Education Ministry, Tertiary Education Commission and New Zealand Qualifications Authority have been asked to carry out the review, which will investigate whether sub-degree courses funded by the Government meet the test of quality, relevance and value for money.

The review is targeting courses that have experienced rapid growth, are subsidised at a level well above their cost and pay little attention to the needs of the labour market.

But institute chief executive Neil Barns said today the review was a concern if it resulted in funding cuts, which could jeopardise the viability of regional polytechnics, including NMIT.

"The government would not undertake a review of this type if it did not believe there was a need to divert funding, in other words, make change," he said.

Local access to education, a key part of New Zealand's education strategy, could be lost as a result.

However, other tertiary education providers in Marlborough are not so concerned about the review, saying they have known for some time it was on the cards, and that they're providing the community with valuable and necessary services.

Dr Barns said the review would address the symptoms of the system rather than the system itself.

"The review is not talking about the funding mechanism itself, it's talking about individual access to it," he said.

"A comprehensive review of the funding system is required, and that has not been indicated."

About 90 per cent of NMIT's annual funding comes from sub-degree courses.

Dr Barns said Prime Minister Helen Clark's indication that the government was thinking of returning to a pre-1989 two tiered education system, in which only universities had full autonomy to award degrees and manage their own finances, would be "very significant" for the industry.

Marlborough Community College manager Virginia Archer said the more investigation and the more accountability in education the better.

"It's not a business, it's an opportunity for people to learn," she said.

If funding reviews resulted in "shonky courses" having their funding cut this would mean more funding for legitimate programmes which benefited the community.

"In a nutshell -- shut them down," Mrs Archer said.

- NZPA