SIT Zero Fees Expansion – Positive for the South

The expansion of SIT’s zero fees scheme, to incoming intakes of distance-learning students across the country, is a wonderful development for our local institute, Invercargill MP and Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“I am delighted to see the zero fees scheme back where it belongs – allowing students across the country to access the unique programmes that SIT has to offer.

“I know what the Zero Fees Scheme means to students, the community and employers and industry in this province and around the country.

“I believe local decision-making around zero fees is the way forward for SIT and I am pleased that the new direction of this Government has enabled this to happen.

“This is good news for SIT and it is good news for Southland.

“Let’s not forget that Southland community funders granted $7.25m to get the zero fees scheme off the ground more than 20 years ago – it’s only fitting that this local initiative be able to continue for the benefit of the local community.

“As Tertiary Education Minister I am determined to continue with the disestablishment of Te Pukenga and a return to more local decision-making – after the last government wasted hundreds of millions of dollars building a bureaucracy, even while staff morale collapsed and regional needs suffered.”