Private Providers Prioritised in Poor $53million Policy

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For immediate release 11th May 2021

Private Providers Prioritised in Poor $53million Policy

The NUS understands that the Federal government will today announce a $53million support package for private higher education institutions to develop online short courses for offshore students. 

The 2021 Budget has seen the Government propose that private colleges will be given a hand out to push courses online. The scheme is a quick cash grab from a Government that has no plan to give International students the quality of education that they deserve.

This is a temporary solution to a problem caused by the continuing border closure, keeping International Students out of Australian institutions. This proposal will not fix the issues faced by the Australian University sector, including the loss of 17,000 jobs in the last year.

“These changes are targeted at raking in money from international students, without the Government needing to plan for their return to Australia,” said President Zoe Ranganathan. “Micro Credentialing, using students as cash cows and poor quality online learning won’t save Higher Education”.

Research has shown that students are more likely to drop out of university when it is delivered online. Many students have also felt that they were missing out on key university experiences, such as participating in clubs and societies, using university infrastructure and lacking the capacity to interact with their tutors and lecturers. 

Education Officer Chris Hall said “online learning encourages less accountability, procrastination and crammed learning. The idea of online short courses is for the benefit of saving money and has never been to develop students and their skills. It is disappointing to see the government trivialise the benefits that education can provide.”

For further comment: 

NUS National President

Zoe Ranganathan

E: president@nus.asn.au

P: 0411 606 808

NUS Education Officer

Chris Hall

E: education@nus.asn.au