Helen Clark just announced that if elected it would phase in a universal student allowance.
There would be a total cost of $210 million a year when the plan is fully implemented. It will take four years to roll out.
The plan removes Means Testing of parental income up to the age of 25 for the student
This spells good news for prospective tertiary students over the next few years. This means students will no longer have to borrow large amounts of money to live. Student debt reached $10 billion earlier this year. The move to introduce this will mean the majority of students will walk away from degrees without crippling debt. This move will also hopefully ensure better quality of learning at tertiary providers with the burdon of having to work 12 – 20 hours a week lifted for many over stressed students.
However concerns have been raised by some students about the viability of this plan.
An Auckland University student said: ” GODDAMN DON’T FUCK UP OUR COUNTRY YOU FUCKS. They’re not getting my vote anymore.
“We can’t afford universal student allowances. People are just going to freeload like crazy. Our lectures will be filled with idiots.”
Last month Victoria University’s Pat Walsh argued that the money from any possible universal student allowance could be better used to improve the universities themselves.
This move to curry favour with students is a triennial favourite of Labour’s. Last election they announced the removal of interest off student loans for all people still living and working in NZ.
Student protesters be worried. Soon there will be nothing left for you to protest about.