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Cash-strapped solo mums dropping out of tertiary study

Author
Jacqui Stanford,
Publish Date
Sun, 16 Aug 2015, 6:23AM

Cash-strapped solo mums dropping out of tertiary study

Author
Jacqui Stanford,
Publish Date
Sun, 16 Aug 2015, 6:23AM

Solo mums trying to get ahead through tertiary education are said to be struggling to cope with rising costs, and they are dropping out.

A study released by the Union of Students Associations shows all students are facing rising debt, falling support and unaffordable living expenses as housing costs rise.

However, Susan St John from the Child Poverty Action Group said she is particularly concerned with the financial pressure and mental distress many student sole parents are under, especially in postgraduate courses.

She is seeing solo mums drop out on a regular basis in her role as a teacher at Auckland University's Business and Economics Faculty.

"So often we see students that are dropping out. They're under enormous financial stress. They're having to work far more hours in paid work than is desirable for anybody studying and they're having to accrue enormous debts," St John said.

"They are struggling with childcare, juggling sick children, doing their very best and often willing to put excessive amounts of time into the study itself, but just not being able to make the dollars go far enough."

According to the lobby group, rising costs mean students from poorer backgrounds are also effectively being locked out of tertiary education.

St John said there is an expectation that parents will support their children's living costs while they study, but for many low and even middle income families this is simply unaffordable.

 

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