The Rachel Report - May

Okay okay okay, S.T.E.P right up to the newest side show attraction, less compelling than the hairy woman, more disturbing than the flexible tattooed man… yes, it’s the Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities – or S.T.E.P as it is ‘affectionately’ known. What is it you ask? Well just hand over your increasing education fees and we can have a chat. This is Minister of Educations’ new baby. It outlines where he wants to take Education in the future and includes some pretty good jargon, but it is really interesting is to note one bullet point

· “students and learners now have more choices, information and advice and a smaller financial burden due to the holding of fees and changes to student loans and allowances” (Mallard S.T.E.P 2005-2007)

I think this is more a case of ‘hazardous STEP ahead!’ because the 2005 NZUSA Income and Expenditure survey - bona fide research - shows that students do ‘owe more than they own’ – it’s not just a cool OPSA t-shirt! Graduate debt has increased and Otago students have among the highest rents in the country. I just have to question what kinds of choices are available when so clearly choice is “in the eye of the (wallet??) beholder”.

Interesting also to note at a recent TAMU (Governmental) training I attended as a council Rep we had miss the Student Debt slide because we ran out of time… be assured that with 5 student presidents attending we did go back to that later!!

Student Debt IS bigger than King Kong! Watch out for student action and a nifty little poster and postcard. Send off the postcard and put up the poster… it’s all action here!!

As they say, it’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings… and well… I’m only humming at the moment!!

The word on the street is that OPSA have new hoodies and t-shirts with go faster stripes AND in go-faster red! Check them out – wear them out! Who’s singing now??…