Class sizes could become bigger, say universities

By Daniel Hurst. University classes could become even bigger as students approach the end of their degrees, with smaller tutorials reserved for the early part of each course. The new chair of Universities Australia, Sandra Harding, told the National Press Club on Wednesday the looming federal government funding cuts could lead to bigger classes, fewer disadvantaged students attending higher education and less research and innovation. Professor Harding said it was natural to worry about higher student-to-staff ratios as they had already increased over time due to budget pressures, but called for a more nuanced view. Read more...