Students rally against fees and debt

Students at the University of Auckland will rally today against debt and fees and to express solidarity with fellow students at Canterbury, Massey and Victoria Universities.

The focus of the rally will be the smashing of a debt wall, a symbolic representation of the $3billion that students collectively owe to the loans scheme, although other actions have also been foreshadowed.

“The success of the Canterbury occupation has given a clear indication to students how they can fight back against the continuation of underfunding in the tertiary sector. Students were able to force the university to back down from a 45% fee increase, saving an average of $800 per student,” said Kane Forbes, student protest organiser.

“This is the single biggest concession ever won for students and now Auckland students must act to ensure that our own fees are not subjected to huge fee increases. Our University Council has deliberately decided to set fees after students have left campus for the year. A clear attempt to silence students. This protest is about making sure that we will not be silenced,” concluded Kane Forbes.

ends

© Scoop Media