26 Aug 2009

Changes ahead for polytechnics

10:09 am on 26 August 2009

The Government hopes to have new legislation covering the governance structure of polytechnics in place by the end of the year.

The Education Amendment Bill is to be introduced to Parliament. It will give the Government more control over the institutions.

A key section in the bill trims membership of polytechnic councils from their current maximum of 20, to eight.

Tertiary Education Minister Anne Tolley says the makeup of councils will also be more clearly defined and include four ministerial appointees.

A range of measures in the bill will also allow the Government to respond more effectively and quickly when institutions may be at financial or educational risk.