Performance-based funding interferes with the core missions of universities: Spooner

The Government of Saskatchewan’s recent reading of Bill 61 indicates that SK is laying the groundwork to move towards performance-based funding, writes University of Regina Professor Marc Spooner. Spooner says that the bill gives the authority to make funding contingent on performance to the minister, which will allow SK to adopt a model that prioritizes performance. The issue with this move, writes the author, is that focusing on labour market, industry, and economic outcomes encourages institutions to offer programs that align with narrow outcomes rather than support students in doing research focused on public interest. Spooner also argues that it is difficult to predict future labour market needs and that students should be allowed to study in areas that have lower pay if they are meaningful and fulfilling. Regina Leader-Post Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.