TAFE students protest the high cost of study …

By Bridget Cook
A GROUP of frustrated Dandenong students will take to the steps of State Parliament today in protest at rising TAFE fees.
About 40 students from a Dandenong TAFE welfare and human rights class will vent their frustrations and carry protest signs, arguing that the TAFE skills reform process is preventing many people from attending post-secondary schools because of increased fees.
The students are also protesting about concession cards being scrapped.
This is not the first time the they have rallied at Spring Street, with the students protesting in August about the same issue.
Group member Vidiksha Poonit, 23, said the group organised the protest last week as they believe many students won’t be able to afford TAFE fees.
“We think it’s unfair that the government has increased TAFE fees for students and abolished their concession card,” she said.
“This could have a devastating affect on students.
“TAFE should be affordable for everyone and be accessible, as it is a place that allows to gain skills.
“The rise in TAFE fees could discourage students from gaining a further education.”
When the students protested in August this year, Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Bronwyn Pike said overall demand across Victoria’s TAFE systems was up this year with more people in training, which she said was what the recent reform process aimed to do.
“There are 1.6 million Victorians who don’t have any training post-high school – and we want to re-engage those people with education,” she said.
“The new system introduces university-style loans, so students can study now, learn skills – and repay the cost of training when they are earning a good wage. We are making training more accessible to young people in Victoria.”
However, Greens candidate for Dandenong Matthew Kirwan also believes that by introducing the new TAFE fee system has made TAFE unaffordable for many Victorians.
“The Greens know a skilled workforce is crucial for the economy, which is why we would cut all new TAFE fees to make TAFE available to all Victorians,” he said.
“I fully endorse the rally organised by Dandenong TAFE students outside Parliament this week and the overall TAFE4All campaign.”
Other students or members of the public are invited by the protesters to show their support and join the rally in Spring Street from 12.30pm to 1.30pm today (Thursday, 18 November).