Students resent changes to Council

Polytechnics students around the country have protested the changes being made to the quantum of their representation in Polytechnic Councils.

Last week, the Education Select Committee of Parliament made changes to the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill, proposing that each institution should determine the makeup of four of the representatives on the new polytechnic councils.

The total number of members of each Council would be reduced to eight, of which four would be appointed by the Education Ministry.

The remaining would comprise the Chief Executive, a student representative, a member nominated by the academic board and a member appointed by the Council.

The new councils would be appointed between March and May next year and prepare a three-year investment plan in 2011.

Education Minister Anne Tolley welcomed the changes, saying that each polytechnic would have the freedom to decide the composition of the four non-ministerial appointed members, based on the needs of the communities.

“The Government is committed to strong, high performing polytechnics because they play a vital role in our educational and economic future.

“I am confident that these changes will help us achieve our goal, which is to have highly skilled people with governance experience putting their names forward to be part of the Council of their local polytechnic,” she said.

Student unions and representatives expressed their dissent over the Amendment Bill, slamming the Government’s move as undemocratic.

“The Bill will fundamentally alter the nature and quality of Polytechnic Councils,” New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) Jordan King said.

“The Select Committee had heard many strong and convincing arguments demonstrating the flaws and complete inappropriate nature of what was being proposed.

“These opinions have been ignored and the proposed changes will make matters worse. This is appalling and totally unacceptable,” he said.

He said the Bill would abolish the longstanding dedicated positions for student, staff, industry and community representatives on the Councils of Polytechnics and Institutes.

“Across the education spectrum, there is wide acknowledgement and appreciation of the contributions made by student representatives at council levels.

“Students are the key stakeholder in education and therefore should have a say in the educational direction and quality of their educational institutions,” Mr King said.

According to him, “lack of consultation on the Bill will have an extremely negative and long term impact on Polytechnics.”

“This is a very worrying development. Students will not let this matter lie and the Government can expect strong opposition should this Bill become law.”

Otago Polytechnic Students Association President Meegan Cloughley agreed, saying that the Bill will “effectively gag the voice of students at governance level.”

“As the biggest stake-holders in a polytechnic, students should be assured a seat on council, as promised by Ms Tolley early this year.

“Polytechnic councils that do not appoint student representation are probably those who need them most.

“This bill stinks of government interference,” she said.