Polytechnic may cut student intake

Press, 12 July 1988, Page 7

Polytechnic may cut student intake

Christchurch Polytechnic may take fewer students next year unless the Government provides money for building developments, the Polytechnic council resolved last evening.

Council members were angry that a Government which emphasised the importance of education was not providing the facilities needed to cope with increased numbers of students. The council has been told that the Government does not intend to provide any money for new buildings this year. This would mean that the catering building, which would take two years to complete, would not be started until at least some time next year, said the chairman of the planning committee, Mr Colin Russell.

Catering was one of the subjects most in demand, and between 200 to 300 students applied for the 100 places available each year, Mr Russell said. The present catering building had one kitchen, while the plans for the new building included four kitchens and a servicing area, he said. The student amenities building would also not be provided from Government funds, the council was told. A council member, Mr Bill Harrison, said that the Government decision to cut building programmes made a non-

sense of the Government’s provision of Access and other similar programmes. “The Government cannot find the funds to help employ the same people that it has trained — one wonders where (the cuts) will end.” Mr Murray Thurston, a council member, moved that the council should reassess its 1989 student intake because of the lack of response from the Government over capital works.

Council members agreed to write to the Minister of Education,

and local members of Parliament. If provision was not then made for the necessary resources, consideration would be given to further restrictions on student numbers next year. Mr Russell said that recent suggestions by the Associate Minister of Education, Mr Goff, that buildings could be used more effectively, including double shifts, would introduce new problems. Double the number of tutors would have to be found, and overtime costs considered, he said.