Steven Joyce’s ministerial appointments to polytechnic councils are not representative of the sector says TEU national president Dr Tom Ryan.

“Looking through the names it appears that not one single staff member has been appointed to the council of their own polytechnic. Indeed, out of seventy-eight names only a handful seem to be currently working as academic or general staff at any tertiary institution at all.”

“The minister has given governance control of our ITPs to a group of people who come predominantly from a business background. As individuals they are all skilled and respected people in their community. As a group though they do not reflect the diverse educational challenges that polytechnics face.”

“These councillors will not just be making business decisions. They will be asked to make governance decisions that affect the education outcomes of young New Zealanders trying to find a place in the world.”

“This was the inevitable outcome of the government’s believe that polytechnics should mimic business governance structures. These board members will predominantly be taking over very well run and successful organisations. The major problem polytechnics face is not governance failures but the savage cut-backs in government funding.”

“The minster thinks that imposing an eight member business member model board on the ITP sector is going to significantly improve outcomes. We dispute this. Our newspapers are full of stories of such business governance structures that have failed,” said Dr Ryan.