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We are the students, we are the future
Opinion: Down with the laptops for 1 day and protest!
In a little over two month’s time, the government of the day plan to impose a draconian budget on the people of Ireland – making an adjustment of at least €3.6 billion. Amongst those expected to be hit hardest are the vulnerable in society, such as the elderly, social welfare recipients and students. With education being the third highest spending government department, it has become increasingly clear that the students, and the future of our nation, are perceived as a soft touch with regards to cuts.
The measure of austerity which is to be levelled at third level education in particular, as a result of this, is nothing short of sickening. The willingness of the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, to increase registration fees and cut grants is sure to be met with much revulsion. It is further evidence that the coalition government, some of whom voiced their ‘concern’ at the increase of third-level fees when in opposition, has no plan to educate our way out of the economic crisis. It is yet another example of the short-sightedness of our political representatives.
To implement the hiking of the third level registration fee, which was replaced by a mandatory €2000 contribution in Budget 2011, would have a huge impact on third level attendance. Already struggling families would be hard pressed to come up with the funds. The cutting of grant acceptance will also drastically affect attendance levels.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) recently launched a campaign, ‘Stop Fees, Save the Grant,’ which hopes to organise and mobilise students around the nation to come together for a national day of protest on 16 November – when a march from Parnell Square to Government Buildings will take place. According to the USI, The Higher Education Grant has been cut by 8.8% since the economic crash, with a further cutting of 60% from the grants of some students due to changes in the non-adjacent rate criteria.
Last year’s protest, where an estimated 40,000 students took to the streets, will surely have the government on edge this time around. The huge turn-out, marred only by a minority break away group, was a clear example of the nation’s solidarity over this pressing issue. It was a clear show of student power, a clear show of democratic protest, and a clear show of the youth of this nation striving for a better future.
So, alas, we as students need to put down the laptops for one day. We need to put down the books; and say down with these economically suicidal policies of cuts to education in another show of student solidarity on 16 November. We are the students and we are the future – no matter what our so-called “representatives” and their puppet masters from the EU believe.
By: Kieran Dunne
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