News & Views item - August 2010

 

 

The Group of Eight Issues Labor and the Opposition a "Question Without Notice". (August 18, 2010)

But will they favour our university elite with a meaningful reply?

 

 

QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE

 

STUDENT STAFF RATIOS IN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES

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The Group of Eight asks the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition the following question without notice.

 

Given the imminent surge in demand for higher education in Australia; [1]

 

Given that student staff ratios in universities have blown out from 12:1 to 20:1 over the past 15 years;

 

Given that student staff ratios in secondary schools have been falling and are now at an average of 12:1;

 

Will the leader of both major parties please outline:

 

Whether they believe increasing student staff ratios in universities are acceptable? If elected, how they will demonstrate to Australia’s employers, parents, students and university staff that a high quality university system is sustainable?

 

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[1] Overall higher education demand will rise by 323,000 students to 2020 and by 644,000 students to 2030. Go8 estimates based on ABS data, Go8 Backgrounder 10, Future demand for Higher Education in Australia, August 2010