Andrew Dickens Afternoons

Long time listeners to this programme will know that I’m not a major fan of the governments funding of the tertiary system.It’s not that I’m not a fan of education it’s more that I’m not convinced it’s an efficient use of money and that it will not necessarily be the best way to get more tertiary students from disadvantaged homes.The new regime seems overly generous, especially when you realise how many advantaged families will now be getting free tertiary education.  The sons and daughters of Kelburn or Remuera or Fendalton lawyers can continue the family’s advantage at very little cost.Meanwhile, the disadvantaged of Opotiki or Kaitaia still face barriers in terms of travelling to the big smokes and finding and paying for accommodation.This year the policy costs nearly $400 million and I wonder whether we’d extend education to more socioeconomic groups if the money had been targeted to the disadvantaged, say in the form of bursaries or scholarships.But in saying that I raise the spectre of means testing.  A