Students unimpressed with university reforms proposing to cut student help loans and double cost of some degrees
Students say proposals from the Morrison government to double the cost of some university courses and strip help loans from failing students are shortsighted.
Geelong
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STUDENTS say proposals from the Morrison government to double the cost of some university courses and strip help loans from failing students are shortsighted.
Proposed reforms attempt to double the price of some humanities degrees and drastically reduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics related courses.
Education Minister Dan Tehan said the reforms were aimed at encouraging study of courses that lead to jobs, and would boost places available for domestic students.
Surf Coast Secondary College student Lily Watterson,18, who wants to study arts said she felt trapped by the proposed changes.
“If I wanted to do the courses with more government funding, science or engineering degrees, I’ve haven’t picked the subjects that are required. I don’t have the knowledge to do those courses. I can’t just change my mind,” Ms Watterson, who wants to eventually study law or psychology, said.
“(What’s proposed) doesn’t change what I am going to do but it is going to make it a lot harder. It’s discriminatory against low socio-economic people,” Ms Watterson said.
On the Morrison government’s plan, to strip funding from students who fail more than more than 50 per cent of their units after taking at least eight, Ms Watterson said these students should be told to reconsider.
“People will be discouraged from taking another course that they might actually prosper in and do really well.”
Public health masters student Ana Machado Colling from Newtown said the changes were illogical because COVID-19 had gutted job prospects for young people.
“Study has become a strong alternative for people in my position because we can’t work. We may as well try to develop more skills.
“Our economy demands skills and knowledge from social sciences and humanities like critical thinking and communication.”
Ms Machado Colling said the government was making too many assumptions about the job market post COVID-19.
Labor MP Libby Coker said the federal government was “hellbent” on targeting young people.
“Struggling and vulnerable students will be most at risk from this policy. They need help not punishment.
“Imagine being a year 11 or 12 student this year – already hit with the pandemic disruptions – and then to also be slapped with higher fees and the potential for your government assistance to be withdrawn.”
Mr Tehan said the proposed changes to university loans would allow institutions to assess whether a student was academically suited to their course.
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“These measures will ensure students can’t take on a study load they won’t complete, leaving them without a qualification but a large debt.
“The Job-ready Graduates package will also increase the number of university places for Australian students and strengthen the focus on teaching students the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future.”
Universities will be able to provide exemptions if students demonstrate exceptional circumstances have caused them to fail subjects such as serious illness or bereavement.
Originally published as Students unimpressed with university reforms proposing to cut student help loans and double cost of some degrees