A Tauranga man is taking a shot at what he describes as 'the curmudgeonly critics” of Labour's recently announced policy of three free years of tertiary education.

Peter Malcolm, closing the gap. Photo:Chris Callinan

Peter Malcolm of the advocacy group 'Closing the Gap” says it's highly likely those who oppose such a policy are comfortably middle class - and benefited from the tertiary system before fees were imposed in the 1990s.

A major daily newspaper called Labour's free education policy a 'move for political gain”. It also ran letters to the editor bemoaning the cost.

'However ‘Closing the Gap' is right behind Labours proposal” says Peter. 'In fact I would prefer it to go further – like have all tertiary education free.” However it would be results driven.

Closing the Gap advocates equality – reducing the gap between rich and poor to create better social, health and economic outcomes for all.

'We know one of the main tools to achieve this is education. It is an investment in our economic future as well as the individual.

The naysayers who bleat on about student loans levelling the playing field on access to education are out of touch, says Peter.

He says free education is a path out of poverty rather than a way into deep debt like the current student loan system.

'It was no surprise to see the Herald's editorial talking about this return to universal education as a move for political gain,” says Peter. 'Nor to see letters to the editor bemoaning the cost.

'It's highly likely those that oppose such a policy are comfortably middle class and I wouldn't be surprised if they benefited from the tertiary system before the introduction of fees in the 1990s.

'Closing the Gap is right in behind Labour's proposal, and, in fact, would prefer it go further ie have all tertiary education free—depending on success, like many of the Scandinavian countries, and implemented sooner.

'We know that education is one of the main tools by which societies can close the gap between rich and poor. It is an investment in our economic future as a country as well as the individual who undertakes it.

"You only need to look at the Scandinavian countries like Finland where university education is free to all to see what investing in education can do for a country and its people.

'The naysayers who bleat on about student loans levelling the playing field as far as access to education goes are out of touch. The prospective student from a comfortably well off family who can live in relative luxury at home for the duration of their degree, and maybe even expect Mum and Dad help them out financially, has less fear about taking on debt and better prospects of paying it off than someone who has been raised in poverty.

'The 18 year old who has been working after school to contribute to the family coffers so the household can afford to eat and have power and pay the rent has to think twice about the luxury of post-secondary education.

"That youth will consider whether they can afford the transport to the institution, the technology required, and all the associated costs – there will be no hand-outs from Mum and Dad. The decision to take on debt for fees when you live in a household worried about where the next dollar is going to come from is not an easy one.

'Free education is a path out of poverty for that person, not a way deep into debt like the current student loan system.”

Closing the Gap encourages New Zealanders to support any party proposing free education as creates the opportunity for a more equal society.