The Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) party released a policy paper aimed at improving higher education Feb. 12.
However, the policy is concerning to post-secondary students dealing with the rising cost of tuition, according to provincial and federal student associations.
The paper, titled “Paths to Prosperity: Higher Learning for Better Jobs” contains 13 points demonstrating the PC’s plan to prepare students for the jobs needed in today’s economy.
Such a plan would seek to tie government financial aid to academic success through a PC policy called “No Qualified Student Left Behind.” This system would replace the 30 per cent tuition break that the current Ontario government offers.
PC training, colleges and universities critic Rob Leone said the current Liberal 30 per cent cut is largely inefficient as only one third of Ontario students are eligible to receive it, and it isn’t available to single parents returning to school.
But Leone stressed that his party’s policy isn’t aimed at taking loans away from students who already receive them, as many have suggested it does.
“The idea that we put forth is mostly about trying to insent students and give students who are doing well a break,” Leone said. “It’s not about cut-offs or minimums in terms of grants and loans. We’re talking about trying to get students to do better.”
This could mean that for a certain percentage of top students using loans at each post-secondary institution, a portion of their payback fees may be forgiven, according to Leone.
He said the plan would benefit Ontario students by improving the relationship of the province’s post-secondary education system within the 21st century economy.
This would entail encouraging high school students to consider programs offered by colleges, where new programs would be offered in which students could achieve a degree.
Leone said he feels this would result in improved student-faculty interaction at universities, where class sizes would also be reduced.
The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is criticizing the PC’s plan.
“Record high tuition fees and the growing role of for-profit interests on campuses are threatening the quality and affordability of public post-secondary education in Ontario,” said CFS-Ontario chairperson Sarah Jayne King.
Alysha Li, president of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) said the paper suggests that increasing tuition rates at certain universities will eventually lead to improved quality.
“Students would like to see quality increases before students and families are asked to pay for a university education,” Li said in a Feb. 13 release.
“Research has shown that low-income students display higher tendencies to be price sensitive. To create a tuition deregulated elite tier of universities, even with increased financial aid, will result in a decrease in the number of low-income students attending these institutions.”
Zach Dayler, national director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), said that he was particularly bothered by the paper’s 11th point, which states that students should be able to opt out of paying fees to their student unions used for political advocacy.
“I think student unions perform a really valuable role on their campus, whether it be advocating on campus issues, provincial issues, municipal issues and federal issues,” Dayler said.
“With these documents it’s always difficult because it is also a starting point of a discussion . . . it’s positive to see that the province as a whole is talking about education.”
Carleton Conservatives vice -president Patrick Osland called the paper “a step in the right direction,” saying he was proud to see the PC standing up for students.
“For far too long now post-secondary education has been viewed in the wrong context,” Osland said.
“The Liberal government thought lowering the standards so more students could get in was a solution.”
“The [proposed policy] makes a real attempt to revive the ability for colleges and universities to provide a quality education, while also incentivizing students to take their school work seriously.”
Main points to the PC platform:
• Financial aid system should be based on merit and access, prioritizing students who need financial help the most and at the same time demonstrate academic success.
• Tuition growth should be based upon quality and accessibility improvements at particular schools.
• Encourage high school students to consider applying for skilled trades and applied learning programs at colleges first, rather than university programs.
• University enrolment growth should only occur when it would lead to higher employment outcomes.
• Encourage transfer credits between universities and colleges, so students can graduate faster and more cost-efficiently.
• Urge colleges to offer more three-year degree programs that meet the needs of the job market.
• Student union fees should be tied to transparent disclosure of non-political purposes; students should be able to opt out of fees paid to their unions if such fees are used for political advocacy.
• If student unions mismanage student funds, a referendum should be held at the school regarding voluntary student unionism.
• Instead of giving government funds to help those who have lost their jobs upgrade their skills, reward businesses that upgrade their workers’ skills.
Source: “Paths to Prosperity: Higher Learning for Better Jobs”
