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Chris Hipkins: Tertiary providers need a 'zero tolerance' approach to cheating

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Sat, 6 May 2017, 2:57PM
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Chris Hipkins: Tertiary providers need a 'zero tolerance' approach to cheating

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Sat, 6 May 2017, 2:57PM

Labour says it's disappointed, but not surprised, that students have been allowed to pass an electrical course, despite cheating.

Today's Weekend Herald has reported that a group of Saudi students were given passes by Auckland's Unitec.

Unitec said the case was handled no differently from other cases, but confirmed their lecturer has quit in protest.

Labour education spokesman Chris Hipkins said it shows just how much pressure tertiary institutions are under to attract and retain international students.

"They need to be taking a zero tolerance approach when it comes to cheating."

Mr Hipkins also said that "any suggestion that they've either been turning a blind eye or adjusting grades is just not good enough."

He believes the case undermines not only the integrity of Unitec, but the reputation of all tertiary providers.

"[It] doesn't serve the rest of the providers, who are doing a good job, very well. It doesn't serve New Zealand's reputation very well."

He said the Government needs to provide much better oversight.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Paul Goldsmith, said as a minister, he "can't comment on investigations".

"It is certainly my expectation that any allegations of cheating at any institution will be taken very seriously, both by the institution and by the regulatory authorities."

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