Potential Impact of recent education reduction in Higher Education funding on the well being of students in Australian universities
The Australian education system has gone through several changes. From 1974 to 1989, it was government funded. After 1989, the government made it necessary for students to bear the costs of education with the help of aid through schemes such as the HECS. The HECS scheme allows students to get interest free loans which can be repaid after students acquire jobs (ABS, 2013).
Despite the implementation of measures necessitating students to fund their own education, the number of students seeking education has nearly doubled from 14% in 1976 to 26% in 2011 (ABS, 2013).
The ratio of young men and women seeking education has however seen a shift; there is a marked rise in the proportion of women seeking education in 2011 with 28% women as compared to 25% men. This trend is different from 1976 when more men (17%) than women (10%) sought education.
Thesis: This paper aims at analysing the potential impact of these new education cuts by the Australian government on the wellbeing of Australian University students.
Topic sentences:
- Cuts and the measures announced in Higher Education by the Australian Government.
- Impact of the cuts on students’ quality of education, stress and life.
According to the reports, Australian students face tremendous difficulties due to high education costs (Universities Australia, 2013). The government’s proposed cuts in Higher Education such as the removal of the 10% discount on upfront payment of university fees and 5% bonus for the repayment of HELP debts will have a serious impact on students (Australian Government 2013).
Conversion of student scholarships to loans will augment students’ financial burden (Australian Government, 2013). These new reduction measures by the government will add pressure to Higher Education students. This paper aims at analysing the potential impact of these new education cuts by the Australian government on the wellbeing of the Australian University students.
Data from the ABS (2013) highlight the negative impact of higher costs on students’ education. Other reports also point to the financial plight of students who are under tremendous pressure “prioritizing their resources of time, energy and money” (Universities Australia, 2013).
Although the Australian government has “innovative” schemes such as the ‘Austudy’ and ‘Youth Allowance’ to promote education, not many students are eligible to make use of these schemes due to the low eligibility threshold (Devlin, James and Grigg, 2008). As such, students are forced to earn a living while continuing their education, due to which their quality of education is highly compromised.
There is a considerable increase in absenteeism of graduate students due to work responsibility (ABS, 2013). Survey results indicate that there was a 4% rise in undergraduate student educational absenteeism from 4% in 2000 to 10% in 2006. The rise in post graduate student absenteeism was also significant (26%) and has been attributed to the necessity of earning a living alongside studying (ABS, 2013).
With new cuts in higher education, students will face greater burden and stress balancing between studies and earning a living (ABS, 2013). Even though taking up a job means compromising with studies, students have no other choice but to bear the dual responsibility.
Due to the severe cuts in higher education by the Australian government, the financial pressure on students is likely to increase which in turn will negatively affect the quality of their education and their overall wellbeing.
Reference List
ABS 2013, Year Book Australia, 2012. Web.
Australian Government 2013, Statement in Higher education. Web.
Devlin, M, James, R and Grigg, G 2008, Studying and working: A national study of student finances and student engagement, Tertiary Education and Management vol. 14 no. 2, pp. 111-122.
Universities Australia 2013, Student finances under pressure: Universities Australia survey shows. Web.