University enrolment claims are groundless
PROFESSOR Greg Hill continues to make the groundless assertion that universities need to increase student enrolments from postcodes deemed to be of poorer socio-economic status, because these areas typically have fewer family members with degrees.
He wants to build campuses across south-west Queensland and take over those that other universities have decided to quit (Daily, March 1).
Whether or not a person engages in higher education is a question of motivation and not the presence or absence of a campus five minutes walk away from their family home.
Reader poll
Do you think campuses in low socio-economic areas will encourage more enrollments?
This poll ended on 13 March 2018.
Current Results
Yes, it will make university more accessible to those who didn't have the option before.
50%
No, it's a choice those people have made and a shorter commute won't change anything.
40%
I'm not sure.
10%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
Any decently-motivated person of average abilities will do whatever they want and a few hour's commute each week really would not stand in the way of the willing.
Genuine higher education is a challenging experience for those so engaged and it takes considerable resilience to get through.
Paternalism backed by spurious statistics and the consequent misappropriation of taxpayer money will not an educated nation make.
PETER SLADE
Beerwah
