Students at a Taranaki polytech have been left scrambling to find alternative study placements after their course was axed at the last minute.
The Western Institute of Technology has cut its first year intake for its social work degree. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The Western Institute of Technology in New Plymouth has cut the first year intake for its social work degree because - after making three tutors redundant - it no longer had the staff to teach it.
Grace Monk said she got an email on Friday telling her intake had been cancelled, despite getting assurances earlier in the week the course would run.
"It's absolutely ridiculous, they're taking the mick a little bit.
"So I've literally got one week to sort out Plan B when I got told that Plan A was set in stone."
She is transferring to the Waikato Institute of Technology, but that programme began today.
Affected students have been told they can transfer to Waikato without having to pay a fee for the first year, enrol extramurally or take an alternative course in New Plymouth.