The Australian federal government has found another way to further the divide between rural students and metropolitan students when it comes to tertiary study.
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In December, the Federal Government decided to cap funding to bachelor courses across all universities for two years in the hopes of saving $2.1 billion. The decisions also included a lifetime limit on VET and HELP. While the funding cap will be lifted in 2020, universities will have to compete for funding by meeting “performance targets”.
While the cuts will not result in a fee increase for students seeking tertiary education, it will make it more difficult for rural students to secure a place in bachelor programs. Rather than attempting to enrol as many students as possible, this capped funding will result in fewer places being offered to future students in the next two years. For rural students, especially those in Griffith, it can demand that students search further away from home to secure a spot at university.
These changes may result in rural students having to go to extended lengths to achieve higher education as universities closer to home become more and more competitive. Rather than being able to attend universities closer to Griffith, such as CSU in Wagga Wagga, or universities in Albury or Canberra, students may have to travel interstate for their education.
These financial, geographical, and academic concerns continue to place major pressure on rural students in Griffith seeking further education.
Metropolitan students do not have the added cost of accommodation and living when they are able to live at home while attending university. However, many rural students have to take up employment during their studies just to afford food on the table.
The Chief Executive of the Group of Eight, Vicki Thomson, called out the government for using its tertiary education system as a “cash cow” to repair its budget. The federal government continues to milk its resources regardless of the harm it results in for students when it comes to tertiary education.
The federal government needs to find other places to sacrifice funding other than the Australian tertiary education system. Cut funding to state governments for unneeded stadiums. Ask Kochie to put the government’s name in the barrel for the Cash Cow on Sunrise for a few extra bucks. Just don’t take away precious opportunities from our rural students.
Elizabeth Portolesi was Marian Catholic College Dux in 2017. She plans to study law and international relations at ANU in 2018.
