Problems merging the country’s polytechnics have been "heartbreaking" for an Invercargill MP and former polytechnic chief executive, who has criticised Education Minister Chris Hipkins’ approach as arrogant and foolish.
New entity Te Pukenga is responsible for completing the transition to a national technical institute and industry training organisation by the end of this year.
A Tertiary Education Commission report has warned a drop in enrolments meant Te Pukenga’s latest annual deficit could surge to $110 million, $53.5 million more than budgeted.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds, who was chief executive of the Southern Institute of Technology for 23 years, called for the mega-merger to be paused.
Former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker’s criticism of the merger was reported by the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Ms Simmonds said she and Mr Ker had been the longest-serving chief executives in the vocational education sector.
"It’s arrogant of this minister, who has never run a polytechnic, or any business, to not be listening to experienced, successful chief executives from the sector.
"It’s not only arrogant but it’s foolish, and it is putting our incredibly valuable vocational education sector at risk."
Ms Simmonds raised the issue during parliamentary question time yesterday, asking Mr Hipkins if he agreed with Mr Ker’s statement that despite the cost, reforms had not solved issues faced by the sector, but made them worse.
Mr Hipkins recognised Mr Ker’s "considerable contribution" to vocational education, but disagreed with the statement.
"The model of vocational education that we had in New Zealand wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t delivering the skills that our employers are crying out for."
Most polytechnics had been in financial difficulty that was getting worse, and some would have closed without financial help, he said.
"I absolutely reject the assertion that additional funding hasn’t gone towards improving outcomes for learners."
The deficits the consolidated polytechnics were currently producing were lower than some of the projected deficits expected without reform, he said.
Speaking to the ODT yesterday, Ms Simmonds said she would like the merger to be paused to allow for staff consultation.
"[Mr Hipkins] really needs to pull back on a ... January start for the new model," she said.
"For people like Phil and I, who have spent decades of our lives in the vocational education sector, what is happening now is heartbreaking."
