Greens call for immediate review of alternate university entry schemes

Responding to reports that students at Sydney’s exclusive Scots College were offered guaranteed entry to Sydney University if they completed a $12,000 diploma, Australian Greens spokesperson for higher education Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“The fact that Scots College, an elite private boys school, was the only school included in this program guaranteeing entry to Sydney University has quite rightly concerned students and parents across NSW.

“I am calling on the Minister for Education to immediately review university entry pathways to determine whether the Scots College situation is unique or whether there is a broader issue.

“If universities are developing these programs primarily to develop new revenue sources by targeting wealthy private schools then that should also be investigated.

“University entry should not be determined by the financial capacity of the students’  school to pay for tailor made programs designed to bypass the existing entry system.

“Tens of thousands of students sit the HSC every year and they would be shocked and confused to see their peers bypassing that process by virtue of the fact they study at Scots College.

“Alternative pathways to many courses and degrees, including those at Sydney University, already exist. It’s unclear why a new program run only at Scots College was developed.

“There is certainly a place for alternative pathways into university but they should be equitable and accessible – not restricting to the students of one Sydney private school.