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FURTHER THOUGHT NEEDED ON HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING
15 October 1999

Higher education is too important for our economic future to be subjected to substantial policy changes without consultation. In our submission to the West Committee's review of higher education financing, we advised that

• the current balance of public and private contributions to the costs of undergraduate education (about 2:1) should be maintained. The government contribution should not be reduced further

• the differential HECS charges that result in higher costs to students of science courses discourage students from entering science courses and careers. We are particularly concerned about the supply of qualified teachers for our schools

• a full voucher system would lead to a mismatch of student demand and existing infrastructure.

• policy options for university education be subject to a Green Paper process like that used for higher education research

• a White Paper be produced, after consultation on the options in the higher education green paper, as a contribution to the National Innovation Summit which will meet in February 2000.