Jessica Curtis, front centre, leads students in a protest against changing the current TAFE payment system to one similar to university-style HECS based fees.
By Melissa Meehan
DANDENONG students fear for their future following plans by the Victorian Government to implement changes to the TAFE system.
The group of students, all studying Community Development and Welfare, believe the changes would deny many low-income Victorians an alternative to further education.
The State Government, meanwhile, claims most students will actually enjoy a fee reduction.
From July 2009, the Brumby Government intends to implement changes to the TAFE system by introducing a Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fee, similar to that of university courses.
Student Elouise Tuai said changes to the TAFE system would make life harder for many families in Dandenong and across the state.
“These changes will not only affect concession card holders, who will no longer be able to get a discount on their education, but single parents, indigenous Australians, and refugees,” she said.
“It will leave Victoria’s skills shortage in worse shape than it’s in now.”
She said plans to change the fee schedule would deter many people from pursuing education after finishing school.
“The government says they will be introducing a new, fairer fee schedule which will align fees with qualifications,” Ms Tuai said.
“That will leave many, especially low income families, worrying about increasing their debts.”
Fellow student Jessica Curtis agreed.
“The idea of university-style HECS fees means that many students, in and around Dandenong, will have the daunting decision of whether to further their education and face a daunting debt or go straight into the workforce,” she said.
“The idea of the TAFE system was to make further education and training available to those who can’t afford a university education.
“Gough Whitlam spoke about free education for all, it seems like a distant memory now.”
Peter Hall, Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, echoed the students’ argument.
“Victoria is experiencing a skills shortage and the government’s changes to the TAFE system will discourage many, including those looking to retrain, or enter a new career,” he said.
“The fee hikes will impact on all TAFE students.”
Jacinta Allen, Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, refuted claims that the changes would deter students from entering the TAFE system.
“The TAFEs are set to thrive in this new environment,” Ms Allen said.
“Aligning fee levels with qualifications means that for 59% of students, their fees will go down.”
