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Salient. An organ of student opinion at Victoria University, Wellington. Vol. 23, No. 9. Wednesday, November 9, 1960

The Higher School Certificate

The Higher School Certificate

The fundamental contention of the Association is that ability and not financial circumstances should be the criterion for determining whether or not a student may obtain a university education.

Bursaries should, therefore, be sufficiently high to enable a student to afford a university education after making allowance for reasonable effort on his own behalf in holiday employment and a reasonable level of parental support.

In preparing its submissions, the Association undertook a comprehensive and detailed budgetary study of the income and expenditure of the average student and included in the tables contributions from his own efforts and from his parents. On the basis of this study the Association sought an increase in the Higher School Certificate award from the present £40 p.a. to £75 p.a. The Committee has recommended £50 p.a.

The Association considers that our recommendation is the very minimum which can be considered adequate and fair under present-day conditions. Unless this figure is accepted, the proud statement of New Zealanders that equal educational opportunity exists for all will be worthless. With a bursary of only £50, the opportunity to study at university will become increasingly limited to those who have substantial parental support or other income.

Throughout the Parry Report, emphasis has been placed on the need for more graduates, and for full time study, yet surely the only way to encourage students to attend full time is by providing an adequate bursary. The principle of adequate bursary assistance has been established in this country for many years. It lies in serious danger of being undermined. Acceptance of the Parry Committee's recommendations by the Government (who pays) will result in a decreased full-time student population and waste. The Government can erect the finest buildings in the world and staff them with the most brilliant and best paid teachers, but, if students are not able to attend university full time, with adequate financial assistance to safeguard them from the necessity of choosing between part-time employment or reduced living standards with the accompanying high possibility of subsequent physical and mental illness, I suggest that we will be taking a long step backwards.

Student leaders at Parliament Building after seeing the Minister of Education.

Student leaders at Parliament Building after seeing the Minister of Education.