October 22, 2012
Maori used to justify uni fee rise
Wellington’s Victoria University says it wants to charge more for courses with the highest proportion of Maori students so it can better help those students.
It has applied to the Tertiary Education Commission for an 8 percent hike in fees for undergraduate education, social sciences and humanities courses.
That’s double the maximum allowed, but the commission can grant the increase if the university can show it would help Maori and Pasifika students.
Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh says the extra money will go towards a programme of learning support for all students.
Sandra Grey, the president of the Tertiary Education Union, says rising fees could shut Maori, Pasifika and disadvantaged students out of tertiary education.