NUS (National Union of Students) and UCU (University & College Union - a staff trade union) are jointly organising a national demonstration – ‘Fund Our Future: Stop Education Cuts’ – on Wednesday, 10th November 2010. The President of University of Sussex Students' Union Mr. Cameron Tait has given a call to join for the march on the streets of central London to fight against the looming, savage education cuts. It is expected that the students and staff will be travelling by bus and train to join the march. Academic programmes are not cancelled except that there is an appeal to consider the date of submission/seminars for an extension. The fee hike will be applicable from the next academic year. The present annual fee is £ 3290. The Government has proposed the fee hike to £ 9000.
This is probably the plan of the new Conservative Govt. to balance the national budget. When was the last fee hike and what was its extent? Why is the fee hike so steep? Will it help the University fund all its present programmes? How much the Govt. supports the University now and how much the support will reduce in the new Govt.'s plan?
ReplyDeleteSir, i think you should try and go for this march, it will give you an idea of type of debate that goes on at these marches. Also it will give you an idea of how these things are organized from Sussex end to London and back.
ReplyDeleteit will be an interesting experience.
Umaji
The last fee hike was in 2005-06 and it was £ 3,290. Prior to that in 2003-04 it was £ 1,600.
ReplyDeleteThe Government would like to reduce the budget of higher eduction by 40%.
The HE budget will fall from £ 7.1 billion to £ 4.2 billion a 40% reduction by 2014-15.
I missed this opportunity to attend the march.
If the academic programme is not called off , how do the students and faculty make it for the demonstration ? What sort of demonstrations do they have and is the union strong enough to do their represntation? Is there a political support ? How is the reaction of the students to all this affair ?
ReplyDeleteThe University of Sussex has around 10,000 students.This demonstration was held in London. Nearly 300 Sussex students (03%) participated along with the students of other universities and colleges. The students' union here is very strong and works democratically. Political parties have won the election with students support.The demonstrations against hike in fees will continue since it is going to affect all students.
ReplyDelete