What a nightmare it's been this year!

I pick up the phone receiver in one hand and have a pin in the other, ready to burst their ‘study fantasy' bubble, if need be. I steel myself for when we get to the bit about the financial implications of various course options. After breaking the bad news, weighing up the pros and cons, mature students with so much to offer in skill shortage areas are choosing certificate IV over diploma level qualifications ($120 vs $...12,000).

The response to the new fees is absolute dismay and disbelief. I have to field questions such as, "Why would they do this?", "Who is responsible?", "How can I improve my life?", "I don't believe it!", "You must be mistaken", "I really thought I might be able to do it".

Our potential students walk in with enthusiasm and high hopes for their future and leave thinking they were "dreaming" to think that they could do a course. I fear that next year, Cert IV will be part of the fee 'creep'.

— Posted by Margie Frye, TAFE teacher