SA Students set to miss out

Yesterdays Release...

SA Students set to miss out

Today thousands of young South Australians await University offers which may not come.

Applications for South Australian Universities are well up this year but without a subsequent increase in the number of Government supported places. Close to 4000 people have applied for teaching at Flinders University for 400 total places.

President of the National Union of Student’s South Australian State Branch, Rhiannon Newman, said it is disappointing that the Federal Government has not taken more initiative in ensuring adequate funding for University places.

“Young people have indicated that they are willing to invest time into a tertiary education which will ultimately benefit the wider community. It seems hypocritical that those who received free education are now effectively stonewalling the next generation from the benefits they received.” Ms Newman commented.

“When the Government should be assisting students as much as possible to gain access to university, they’re actually making it harder – particularly in South Australia where student HECS debts are the highest in the country – and locking those students who are able to gain one of those rapidly diminishing University positions into a lifetime of debt.” Ms Newman continued.

“Full fee places are not the answer. If the Government is serious about investing in Higher Education it needs to start opening up more opportunities for Government supported places in our nations Universities. The Government needs to take serious steps to show its commitment to Higher Education particularly in areas such as nursing and teaching where there is a serious skills shortage.”

“When thousands of capable students miss out on a place at University this week it should send a strong message to the Government that something needs to be done. We demand a better future not only for South Australia but for the nation”, concluded Ms Newman