Zero-fee policy: Making tertiary education and training accessible and affordable for all?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26686/nzaroe.v23i0.5277Keywords:
fees free, tuition fees, New Zealand, student funding policy, tertiary education participation, socio-economic inequalities, Māori, PasifikaAbstract
The new Labour led government implemented a zero-fee tertiary policy as part of its first 100-day plan to improve tertiary level participation in New Zealand and to reduce financial barriers. With the first cohort of eligible students enrolling in 2018, the benefits and limitations of this scheme have yet to be determined. This paper discusses the key details and the underpinning rationale of the zero-fee initiative and considers the possible impacts on participation rates, including participation for groups such as those from low socio-economic backgrounds and Māori/Pasifika students. It is argued that the fees-free policy has the potential to enhance tertiary education participation in New Zealand. Yet, as a standalone policy it will not address all the existing barriers, especially for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Finally, key areas for further research are proposed to address gaps in the existing knowledge base and to indicate early trends between the new policy and changes in tertiary level participation.
Downloads
References
Ako Aotearoa. (2014). Success in tertiary education for Pacifica: Highlights from Ako Aotearoasupported
research. Ako Aotearoa. Retrieved from https://ako.ac.nz/assets/reports/Synthesis-reports/3d6994ffce/SYNTHESIS-REPORT-Success-for-Pasifika-in-tertiaryeducation-Highlights-from-Ako-Aotearoa-supported-research.pdf
Asplund, R., Oussama, B.-A., & Skalli, A. (2007). An equity perspective on access to, enrolment in and finance of tertiary education (ETLA Discussion Papers, No. 1098). Helsinki: The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (ETLA).
Baxter, R. (2012). Sharing the private and public costs of tertiary education. Policy Quarterly, 8(2), 48–53. doi.org/10.26686/pq.v8i2.4419 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26686/pq.v8i2.4419
Behrendt, L., Larkin, S., Griew, R., & Kelly, P. (2012). Review of higher education access and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Final report. Australian Government. Retrieved from http://docs.education.gov.au/node/36825
Boudon, R. (1974). Education, opportunity, and social inequality. New York: Wiley.
Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J. C. (1977). Reproduction in education, society and culture. London: Sage.
Butterworth, R., & Tarling, N. (1994). A shakeup anyway: Government and the universities in New Zealand in a decade of reform. Auckland: Auckland University Press.
Callender, C., & Mason, G. (2017). Does student loan debt deter higher education participation? New evidence from England. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 671(1), 20–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716217696041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716217696041
Chapman, B., & Ryan, C. (2005). The access implications of income-contingent charges for higher education: Lessons from Australia. Economics of Education Review, 24(5), 491–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2004.08.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2004.08.009
Chauvel, F., & Rean, J. (2012). Doing better for Māori in tertiary settings: Review of the literature. Wellington: Tertiary Education Commission.
Chesters, J., & Watson, L. (2013). Understanding the persistence of inequality in higher education: Evidence from Australia. Journal of Education Policy, 28(2), 198–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2012.694481 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2012.694481
Collins, C. (2017, November 11). Mid-life adults join teens in rush for free tertiary education. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?cid=1&objectid=11942988
Crampton, P., Weaver, N., & Howard, A. (2012). Holding a mirror to society? The sociodemographic characteristics of the University of Otago’s health professional students. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1361), 12–28.
Crawford, C. (2012). Socio-economic gaps in HE participation: How have they changed over time? (IFS Briefing Note BN133). Institute for Fiscal Studies. Retrieved from http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/case/spcc/RN08CCPres.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.1920/bn.ifs.2012.00133
Crawford, C., & Greaves, E. (2015). Socio-economic, ethnic and gender differences in HE participation (BIS RESEARCH PAPER NO.186). UK: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Retrieved from http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/24685 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1920/re.ifs.2024.0387
Crawford, R. (2016). History of tertiary education reforms in New Zealand. New Zealand Productivity Commission. Retrieved from https://www.productivity.govt.nz/workingpaper/history-of-tertiary-education-reforms-in-new-zealand
Cupitt, C., Costello, D., Eagle, L., & Raciti, M. (2015). Social marketing strategy for promoting tertiary education to low SES communities (Position paper). Widening Participation Service Design. Retrieved from https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Final-SM-Position-Paper_ACCESSIBLE.pdf
Dearden, L., Fitzsimons, E., & Wyness, G. (2011). The impact of tuition fees and support on university participation in the UK. London: Centre for the Economics of Education, London School of Economics. Retrieved from http://cee.lse.ac.uk/ceedps/ceedp126.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.1920/wp.ifs.2011.1117
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. (2015). Student finance equality analysis: The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. London: Author. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/
Engler, R. (2010). School leavers’ progression to bachelors-level study. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Education.
Fergusson, D. M., & Woodward, L. J. (2000). Family socio-economic status at birth and rates of university participation. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 35(1), 25–36.
Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L., & Boden, J. (2008). The transmission of social inequality: Examination of the linkages between family socio-economic status in children and education achievement in young adulthood. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 26, 277–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2008.05.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2008.05.001
Gerritsen, J. (2018, February 23). Little benefit from zero-fee policy: Universities. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/351136/littlebenefit-from-zero-fee-policy-universities
Harding, E. (2018, May 1). SIT student numbers down. Stuff News. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103493855/sit-student-numbers-down
Heath, C., Stoddart, C., & Green, H. (2002). Parental backgrounds of Otago medical students. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 115(1165), U237.
Heller, D. E. (1997). Student price response in higher education. The Journal of Higher Education, 68(6), 624–659. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1997.11779004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1997.11779004
Higgins, J., Vaughan, K., Phillips, H., & Dalziel, P. (2008). Education employment linkages: International literature review (EEL Research Report No.2). Retrieved from www.nzcer.org.nz/system/files/EELReport02.pdf
Institute of Public Administration New Zealand. (2018). Deloitte IPANZ Public Sector Excellence Awards. Retrieved from https://ipanz.org.nz/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=150245
James, R. (2000). Socio-economic background and higher education participation: An analysis of school students’ aspirations and expectations. Canberra: Department of Education, Science and Training.
James, R. (2001). Participation disadvantage in Australian higher education: An analysis of some effects of geographical location and socio-economic status. Higher Education, 42(4), 455–472. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012264010667 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012264010667
James, R. (2008). Achieving social inclusion and universal participation: Towards new conceptions of higher education. New Zealand Annual Review of Education (Online), 18, 47–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26686/nzaroe.v0i18.1546
Jerrim, J., Chmielewski, A. K., & Parker, P. (2015). Socio-economic inequality in access to highstatus colleges: A cross-country comparison. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 42, 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2015.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2015.06.003
Jones, N. (2018, February 22). “Grossly inequitable” fees-free warning from universities. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11999085
Kelsey, J. (1995). The New Zealand experiment: A world model for structural adjustment? Auckland: Auckland University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7810/9781869401306
Labour Party. (n.d.). Making tertiary education and training affordable for all. Retrieved from http://www.labour.org.nz/tertiaryeducation
Labour Party. (2016). The future of work (Policy document). Labour Party.
Leach, L., & Zepke, N. (2005). Student decision-making by prospective tertiary students: A review of existing New Zealand and overseas literature. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
Leslie, L. L., & Brinkman, P. T. (1987). Student price response in higher education. The Journal of Higher Education, 58(2), 181–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1987.11778239 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1987.11778239
Loader, M., & Dalgety, J. (2008). Students’ transition between school and tertiary education (2nd ed.). Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Education.
Lucas, S. R. (2001). Effectively maintained inequality: Education transitions, track mobility, and social background effects. American Journal of Sociology, 106(6), 1642–1690. https://doi.org/10.1086/321300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/321300
Maani, S. A. (1997). Investing in minds: The economics of higher education in New Zealand. Wellington, NZ: Institute of Policy Studies.
Maani, S. (2006). Parental income and the choice of participation in university, polytechnic, or employment at age 18: A longitudinal study. In J. Creedy & G. Kalb (Eds.), Dynamics of inequality and poverty (vol. 13, pp. 217–248). Bingley: Emerald. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1049-2585(06)13008-2
Madjar, I., & McKinley, E. (2014). From schools in low-income communities to university: Challenges of transition for Māori and Pacific students. In F. Cram, H. Phillips, P. Sauni, & C. Tuagalu (Eds.), Māori and Pasifika higher education horizons (Vol. 15, pp. 241–252). Emerald. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-364420140000015020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3644_2014_0000015020
Marino, R. J., Morgan, M. V., Winning, T., Thomson, M. W., Marshall, R. I., Gotjamanos, T., & Evans, W. (2006). Sociodemographic backgrounds and career decisions of Australian and New Zealand dental students. Journal of Dental Education, 70(2), 169–178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2006.70.2.tb04073.x
McLaughlin, M. (2003). Tertiary education policy in New Zealand. Fulbright Centre. Retrieved from https://www.fulbright.org.nz/wpcontent/uploads/2011/12/axford2002_mclaughlin.pdf
Meehan, L., Pacheco, G., & Pushon, Z. (2017). Explaining ethnic disparities in bachelor’s qualifications: Participation, retention and completion in New Zealand. New Zealand Productivity Commission. Retrieved from https://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/Meehan%20Pacheco%20Pushon%20working%20paper%209%20Feb%202017.pdf
Ministry of Education. (1991). Reports of the Tertiary Review Group. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (1999). Profile & trends 1998: New Zealand’s tertiary education sector. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2002). Ngā Haeata Mātauranga: Annual report on Māori Education 2000/01 and direction for 2002. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2005). Māori participation in tertiary education: 2004. Ministry of Education. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/series/5851/5855
Ministry of Education. (2008). Student loan scheme annual report. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2009a). Profile & trends 2008: New Zealand’s tertiary education sector. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2009b). Policy options for new student contributions in higher education: Report to Minister for Education and Science. Ireland: Ministry of Education. Retrieved from http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/he_2009_fees_report.pdf?language=EN
Ministry of Education. (2017a, December 6). Education report: Final financial implications for the ‘100 days’ tertiary education commitments. Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/information-releases/informationreleases-from-past-years/100-days/
Ministry of Education. (2017b). Student loan scheme annual report. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2017c, November 20). How many students may be affected by a feesfree $ value cap? Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-ofeducation/information-releases/information-releases-from-past-years/100-days/
Ministry of Education. (2017d, November 20). Initial decisions to support making tertiary education and training affordable for all (Cabinet paper). Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/information-releases/informationreleases-from-past-years/100-days/
Ministry of Education. (2017e, November 23). Education report: Finalising your draft Cabinet paper: Making tertiary education more affordable: Fees free education in 2018. Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/informationreleases/information-releases-from-past-years/100-days/
Ministry of Education. (2017f, December 4). Making tertiary education more affordable: Feesfree education in 2018. Retrieved from http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-ofeducation/information-releases/information-releases-from-past-years/100-days/
Ministry of Education (2017g). Profile & trends 2016: New Zealand's annual tertiary education enrolments. Wellington: Author.
Ministry of Education. (2018a). Affordability of tertiary education. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/indicators/main/family-andcommunity-engagement/1999
Ministry of Education. (2018b). Financial resources. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/tertiary-education/resources
Ministry of Education. (2018c). Participation rates. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/tertiary-education/participation
Ministry of Education. (2018d). Profile & trends 2017: New Zealand’s tertiary education sector. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/tertiary
Ministry of Education (2018e). Participation rates in tertiary education: Data tables. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/excel_doc/0010/107974/inID-1963-datatablesii.xlsx
Ministry of Social Development. (n.d.). Student allowances. Retrieved from https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-allowance/index.html#null
Mumper, M., & Freeman, M. L. (2005). The causes and consequences of public college tuition inflation. In J. C. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3279-X_6
Musu-Gilette, L., de Brey, C., McFarland, J., Hussan, W., Sonnenberg, W., & Wilkinson-Flicker, S. (2017). Status and trends in the education of racial and ethnic groups 2017. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics US.
Nikula, P.-T. (2015). Expansion and contraction in student funding policies: A cross-country study of higher education cost-sharing reforms in Finland and New Zealand (Doctoral diss.). The University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ.
Nikula, P.-T. (2018). Socio-economic inequalities in higher education: A meta-method analysis of twenty-first century studies in Finland and New Zealand. Studies in Higher Education, 43(12), 2305–2320.NZUSA. (2017). Income and expenditure report 2017. Retrieved from http://www.students.org.nz/studentreport DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2017.1326024
O’Connell, P. J., Clansy, D., & Selina, M. (2006). Who went to college in 2004? A national survey of new entrants to higher education. Dublin: Higher Education Authority.
OECD. (2009). Education at a glance 2009: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author.
OECD. (2017). Education at a glance 2017: OECD indicators. Paris: Author.
Palmer, N., Bexley, E., & James, R. (2011). Selection and participation in higher education: University selection in support of student success and diversity of participation. Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Retrieved from https://melbournecshe.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1490980/Selection_and_Participation_in_Higher_Education.pdf
Paulsen, M. B. (2005). The economics of the public sector. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (Vol. XX, pp. 95–132). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Perna, L. W. (2010). Toward a more complete understanding of the role of financial aid in promoting college enrollment: The importance of context. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (pp. 129–179). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8598-6_4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8598-6_4
Pitman, T. (2015). Unlocking the gates to the peasants: Are policies of ‘fairness’ or ‘inclusion’ more important for equity in higher education? Cambridge Journal of Education, 45(2), 281–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2014.970514 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2014.970514
Pitman, T. (2017). Widening participation in higher education: A play in five acts. Australian Universities’ Review, 59(1), 37–46.
Radloff, A., & Coates, H. (ACER), (2011). Student engagement in New Zealand’s universities. Wellington: Ako Aotearoa.
Scott, D. (2009). What do students earn after their tertiary education? Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.
Shavit, Y. (2007). Stratification in higher education : A comparative study. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780804768146
Small, V., Kirk, S., & Cooke, H. (2017, August 29). Big boost for education, tertiary study as Labour unveils spending plan. Stuff News. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96252388/big-boost-for-education-tertiary-study-as-labour-unveils-spending-plan
Smart, W. (2009). Ebbs and flows: Participation in post-compulsory education over the economic cycle. Ministry of Education. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/49259/Ebbs-and-flows.pdf
Starke, P. (2008). Radical welfare state retrenchment. A comparative analysis. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230288577
StudyLink. (2018a). Student allowance rates. Retrieved from https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/rates/student-allowance-rates.html
StudyLink. (2018b). Student loan living costs. Retrieved from https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-loan/living-costs.html#null
Taurere, M. (2010). Advocates for Māori students: The role of career advisors? (Doctoral diss.). University of Auckland, NZ.
Tertiary Education Commission. (2014). Information for learners: Learner decision-making behaviours: Research summary. Wellington, NZ: Author.
Tertiary Education Commission. (2018a). Fees free: What tertiary education organisations need to know. Retrieved from http://www.tec.govt.nz/fees-free-what-tertiary-educationorganisations-need-to-know
Tertiary Education Commission. (2018b). What are the eligibility criteria? Retrieved, from www.feesfree.govt.nz/faqs/
Todd Task Force. (1994). Funding growth in tertiary education and training: Report of the Ministerial Consultative Group. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
Usher, A. (2006). Grants for students: What they do, why they work. Toronto: Educational Policy Institute.
Usher, A., & Medow, J. (2010). Global higher education rankings 2010: Affordability and accessibility in comparative perspective. Higher Education Strategy Associates. Retrieved from https://higheredstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/GHER2010_FINAL.pdf.
Ussher, S. (2007). Tertiary education choices of school leavers. Wellington: Ministry of Education NZ.
Ussher, S. (2008). Post-school choices: How well does academic achievement predict the tertiary education choices of school leavers? Wellington: Ministry of Education.
Van De Werfhorst, H. G., Sullivan, A., & Cheung, S. Y. (2003). Social class, ability and choice of subject in secondary and tertiary education in Britain. British Educational Research Journal, 29(1), 41–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/0141192032000057366 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0141192032000057366
Webber, M., Eaton, J., Cockle, V., Linley-Richardson, T., Rangi, M., & O’Connor, K. (2018). Starpath phase three: Final Report. Auckland: Starpath Project, The University of Auckland.
Webber, M., McKinley, E., & Rubie-Davies, C. M. (2016). Making it personal: Academic counseling with Māori students and their families. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 47, 51-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2016.03.001
Zero-fees: “That hypothetical student doesn’t exist.” (2018, June 25). Radio New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018650766/zero-fees-that-hypothetical-student-doesn-t-exist
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
The Author(s) retain ownership of the copyright in the Article but hereby grant the Publisher an exclusive license to publish the article.
NZAROE gives authors full permission to deposit their articles in publicly accessible institutional repositories, providing that:
- Articles are placed in repositories after publication.
- Metadata about articles include the DOI and journal issue information.
