TEU council met this month and endorsed a policy that says that access to quality education at all levels is an essential element for the achievement of social justice and a sustainable and high-performing economy.

“The TEU therefore supports open access to tertiary education opportunities in a sector that is adequately funded to support the learning needs of a diverse student population.”

The policy says that the union supports free education and an end to user charges as well as lobbying government to develop policies that provide for a realistic level of student financial support.

“Additionally the union will advocate for the government to put in place policies that provide realistic financial support which allows all students to engage in tertiary education in a learning environment that best suits them. This would include policies on the provision of student allowances for all students, independent of their whanau/family financial circumstances.”

Council members voted to adopt the policy after noting that the government’s own Tertiary Education Strategy 2010-2015 says higher education levels have been linked to better general well-being, better health and greater social mobility:

“Tertiary-educated people are more involved in the community and are more likely to vote and stand for public office. Tertiary education promotes debate, democracy, culture and expression.”