12/05/2011. The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) is concerned that the issue of unsustainable growth in law school enrolments has been sidelined in the 2011 Federal Budget. However, ALSA applauds moves to increase mental health funding, improve access to education for low SES-background students, and expand funding for the regional higher education sector.
Funding growth in university enrolments
“The government’s announcement of $1.2 billion over the next four years to fund growth in student enrolments ignores existing concerns about legal education funding and puts quantity ahead of quality,” Matthew Floro, President of ALSA, said.
“In a deregulated market for student places, an increase in law school enrolments will worsen education standards, staff-student ratios, and international competitiveness unless fundamental reforms are made to the outdated base funding model.”
“The Council of Australian Law Deans and the National Tertiary Education Union have noted the already heavy burdens placed on academic staff as well as the casualisation of the workforce, with the resulting negative impact on graduates.”
“ALSA asks the government to reflect on the heightened pressure it will face to increase base funding when there is a massive increase in student enrolments.”
“ALSA has been engaged in a longstanding battle advocating the allocation of desperately needed funds to law schools and a more rational sharing of fee costs between government and students.”
“We urge the government to lift law from the lowest funding cluster of the Commonwealth Grants Scheme and to remove law from the highest student contribution band as part of the Higher Education Base Funding Review. Only then would increased law student enrolments be sustainable.”
Upfront student contribution amount changes
“ALSA is concerned that the measures to reduce the student contribution upfront payment discount from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, and to reduce the voluntary repayment bonus from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, are an attempt to increase revenue from students,” Mr Floro said.
“The government’s focus should be on increasing its share of funding of higher education, not students’ share.”
“However, ALSA urges the government to use savings made from these measures to increase the quality of education in other areas.”
Mental health funding
“The government’s commitment to an extra $1.5 billion for national mental health reform is commendable,” Mr Floro said.
“It has been widely publicised that law students are particularly vulnerable to depression and mental health issues. In 2009, research published by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Institute reported that approximately 35 per cent of law students report high or very high levels of stress, which is above the rate for the general population.”
“ALSA is particularly pleased with the extra funding for headspace centres, the establishment of a National Mental Health Commission, and the development of a single national e-mental health portal.”
Measures for students from low SES backgrounds
“ALSA supports policies that inject equity into the system and address matters of education access,” Mr Floro said.
“The funding commitment of $177.6 million for the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) to assist universities to attract, support and retain students from a low SES background, will have a particular resonance for those wanting to access law.”
“However, the exorbitant student contribution rate (currently a maximum of $9,080 per unit of study) remains a particular deterrent for debt-averse students from low SES backgrounds, as the Council of Australian Law Deans has recently noted.”
Regional universities
“ALSA has been a strong advocate for rural, regional and remote issues, particularly as they relate to law students. Regional law faculties have often suffered compared to their city counterparts,” Mr Floro said.
“ALSA acknowledges the particular difficulties that regional universities face in the provision of higher education, and supports the government’s announcement of increased funding of $109.9 million over four years to address these issues.”
“Similarly, ALSA submits that the funding of $500 million for a Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund to improve teaching, training and research facilities is a positive step.”
Media Contact
Matthew Floro
President
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