Fed: Labor says govt needs to stop uni numbers from falling

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2001
Fed: Labor says govt needs to stop uni numbers from falling

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - The Howard government should develop policies to halt falling
university enrolments and high school completions, deputy opposition leader Jenny Macklin
said today.

"We're facing very serious problems," Ms Macklin told ABC Television.

"One of the figures that shocked me is that last year, for the first time since the
1950s, fewer Australian students are going to university.

"As someone who struggled to get to university from a country high school 30 years
ago, I just find it extraordinary that we're going backwards," she said.

"Fewer students are finishing high school, so we've got to make that issue a number
one issue for Australia."

Ms Macklin said she agreed with calls by the Business Council of Australia to make
education a priority.

"But where is it on the government's agenda? It doesn't even exist."

AAP jph/cat/bwl

KEYWORD: EDUCATION LABOR

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