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August 23, 2021
COVID crisis sparks call for universal student income
Waatea Team
Posted On August 23, 2021
Tertiary students’ associations are calling for more support for students to get through the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The 48 associations, supported by the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, Te Mana Ākonga, Tauira Pasifika, and the National Disabled Students’ Association, want StudyLink income support to be extended to all domestic students as a temporary universal education income.
This includes people who are currently ineligible for StudyLink support because of their age.
They also want more money put in the COVID-19 Hardship Fund and increased funding for mental health support.
Union of Students’ Associations’ national president Andrew Lessells says StudyLink doesn’t cover essential living costs at the best of times, let alone when students are losing employment.
Te Mana Ākonga co-president Nkhaya Paulsen-More says lockdowns have adverse effects on the physical and mental health of tauira Māori.
She says they face pressure to return home to whānau, where they may not have adequate resources such as a good laptop, a stable internet connection, or a quiet room for online learning.
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