What parents overwhelmingly want for their children
10 August 2017 | news
New Zealand parents overwhelmingly want their children to go to university.
That’s the key finding from a recent survey commissioned by Universities New Zealand of 1,000 parents of children aged 11-18 years, which found 86% of parents said they will encourage their children to go to university.
The main reasons given for this were:
- employment prospects;
- the quality of education;
- earning potential;
- the opportunity for their children to continue studying something they are good at or in which they have an interest.
These data are broadly consistent with international findings that, despite increased competition from a wide variety of education providers, around 9 out of 10 parents would encourage their child to attend university.
The survey results highlight that the value of obtaining a university degree is well recognised with only 14% of New Zealand parents disagreeing with the statement that “a university education is a good investment of time and money for a young person”. In all, 72% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “universities make a positive contribution to New Zealand through the production of skilled capable graduates” with just 8% disagreeing with the statement.
The role of universities more broadly was also recognised by parents, with 64% agreeing or strongly agreeing that “universities make a positive contribution to New Zealand’s regions” and just 13% disagreeing with the statement that “universities are critical to New Zealand’s economic success”.
Of concern to universities, parents were less certain about the role universities play in social change for the country. Similarly, parents were generally positive about the economic contribution of international students, but less sure about the social and cultural benefits and the role that international students can play in New Zealand’s skilled workforce.
The survey was commissioned by Universities New Zealand as part of a new look at current and changing perceptions of university education, graduates, research and business engagement.
Technical notes: Phone survey of 1,000 respondents undertaken by Curia Market Research Ltd for Universities New Zealand, 1-18 June 2017. Sampling error +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level.