Education Amendment Act and Academic Freedom

The AUS endorses the concern of the Vice Chancellor on the potential threat to academic freedom in the amendments to the Education Act currently before Parliament: The Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill.


The AUS submission on the Bill shares the concern of the NZVCC in their submission to Parliament on institutional autonomy and academic freedom: http://nzvcc.ac.nz/files/advocacy/submissions/NZVCC%20Reform%20Bill%20Submission.doc

In particular we feel the criteria for assessing institution plans* should explicitly state that the TEC is not making judgements on the content of courses, and that all decisions are to be made in the context of protecting and enhancing academic freedom. The powers of the TEC to approve or decline funding must not compromise academic freedom, and this should be clarified in the legislation.

*the legislation proposes the merger of University Charters and Profiles

Jack Heinemann Branch President